Written by Prachi Shah on 10 July 2025
At most of the music academies – online or offline, once you graduate, it’s the end of the road. A couple of freebies, a certificate, and a goodbye. But at the Shankar Mahadevan Academy, our students/alumni don’t just leave with a graduation certificate and memories. They come back, sometimes months or even years later - not because they have to, but because they want to. Why? To improve their score, rediscover their voice, and reconnect with our warm community of teachers that never really let them go.
For us, it all started with a simple observation. Many students, after passing out, would continue to sing, experiment, or teach others. But somewhere in the noise of life - jobs, kids, cities and dreams - they missed the discipline of daily music practice. Although most of them felt that their skills had improved, others realised they wanted to challenge themselves and get better. And so, the academy opened its virtual doors wide again.
“We never see our students as just pass-outs,” says Sridhar Ranganathan, the Founder and CEO of Shankar Mahadevan Academy. “They’re part of the family. If they want to come back, why should a certificate be a finish line? There is never an end to learning Music!
He further added that “We are the only academy in the world that allows students to take the exams any number of times and improve their grades. As a 90/100 in music can be 80/100 - and if you lose your tune in one phrase or your rhythm in a short line of 3 words, it doesn’t make you a bad singer. What matters is that you can achieve perfection good enough to hold an audience when you become a performer.”
The Shankar Mahadevan Academy’s re-admission process is smooth and non-judgmental. One doesn’t have to give an exam or audition to restart. All you need to have is an intent to learn, grow, and have the willingness to climb the musical ladder again. Our academy’s scoring system is designed not just to measure skills but to reflect commitment, improvement, and community participation. And for many students who return - that’s a huge motivating factor.
Our online music book has become a holy grail for our learners. It’s rare to find a learning tool that lets you listen, revise, and record the compositions you've learned from your teacher - all in one place. Even more valuable is what follows - a thoughtful and personalized feedback from your teacher, highlighting exactly where you can improve. For many students, it’s not just a feature, but a complete cycle of learning, reflection, and growth.
The Listen to Learn App is your perfect companion for on-the-go music practice. Whether you're travelling, cooking, or taking a walk, you can easily revisit the songs taught during your virtual classes. With every play, you’re reinforcing the learning process - anytime, anywhere. The app is available for both iPhone and Android users.
Our Taanpura App is more than just a digital drone. Designed to create a rich tonal backdrop, it helps you fine-tune your pitching and develop a better sense of pitch accuracy. Whether you're practising alap or taan, the steady hum keeps your voice grounded and centered. Sing your swaras right and you get a thumbs-up from the music maestro Shankar Mahadevan himself. Fascinating, isn’t it?
SMA encourages the old students to join an individual batch or be a part of a multi-student batch, leading you to learn new techniques and even interact with your juniors informally. We call it a “circle of learning” - experience flowing backwards and curiosity flowing forward.
One of the academy’s strongest suits is how it uses technology. Everything from assessments to feedback is recorded and tracked over time. This means our old students can see their progress over the years. Imagine watching an archived video of yourself singing three years ago and comparing it to now.
What makes this initiative even more heartwarming is the community response. Through our Student Mentorship Programs, Chapter and Recital performances, juniors can interact with the seniors. And the students who return are not just chasing scores and ranks. They’re reclaiming the lost melodies and experiencing the pure joy of music!
In a world that’s always rushing toward the next big thing, we are a reminder that sometimes, moving forward means going back. Back to classes, back to the music, back to nostalgia.
And honestly, isn’t that a tune worth repeating?
Prachi Shah,
Curriculum Coordinator, Shankar Mahadevan Academy
Inspired by young kids and wise minds alike.
Vocalist, Writer, Coffee Connoisseur.
