Written by Prachi Shah on 09 September 2025
Music has the power to transform lives; it uplifts, heals, inspires, and connects people across generations and geographies. When legendary musician and composer Shankar Mahadevan, along with his college classmate Sridhar Ranganathan, founded the Shankar Mahadevan Academy (SMA), their dream was simple yet profound… to make high-quality music education accessible to learners everywhere.
Guided by the vision “To be the Harvard of Indian Music” and the mission “ joy of music,” the academy has grown into a global institution offering structured, engaging, and creative music programs for learners of all ages. With students from over 96 countries, SMA has bridged tradition and innovation, ensuring that the timeless art of Indian music reaches every corner of the world.
Whether you are a child discovering rhythm for the first time, a working professional rediscovering your passion, or a trained musician looking to refine your skills, SMA offers something for everyone. Below is a closer look at the diverse courses offered by the academy.
For those who are drawn to the soul-stirring tunes of Indian classical music, SMA’s Hindustani Vocal program offers a structured pathway. Students learn the fundamentals of ragas, taans, and bandishes under the guidance of experts. The program is available for children, adults, and professionals, making it inclusive for absolute beginners as well as advanced learners.
What sets it apart is the Shankar Mahadevan Academy’s methodical approach. Combining traditional guru-shishya pedagogy with modern digital tools, ensuring that learners not only understand theory but also develop a deep emotional connection with their music.
The Carnatic Vocal program celebrates the intricate and devotional style of South Indian classical music. Open to all age groups, the course introduces students to krithis, varnams, and swara patterns, gradually building mastery over rhythm and improvisation.
Learners explore the works of great composers while also developing the discipline required for manodharma (creative improvisation). With experienced teachers guiding every step, this program nurtures both technique and bhava (expression), ensuring that the student’s journey is holistic and fulfilling.
Good singing begins with a healthy and well-trained voice. The Voice Gym course is designed like a fitness program, but for your vocal cords. It emphasizes breathing techniques, projection, pitch control, and stamina building while ensuring that students protect their throat from strain or injury.
This course is ideal not just for professional singers but also anyone who wants to improve their vocal presence. Think of it as strength training for your voice, helping you unlock your full vocal potential safely.
SMA strongly believes that music should be part of every child’s growth journey. The Grow with Music program brings Indian music to children in a fun, creative, and appealing way. Through playful activities, storytelling, and interactive lessons, children learn rhythm, melody, and expression.
Another delightful initiative, Rhymes to Swaras, takes familiar nursery rhymes and blends them with swaras, helping children develop an early ear for Indian classical music. By nurturing curiosity and joy at a young age, these courses lay a strong foundation for lifelong musical engagement.
For Bollywood enthusiasts, the Hindi Indian Playback Series (HiPS) is a dream come true! This program combines the basics of classical training with the thrill of learning popular Hindi film songs. Students understand the classical roots behind their favorite tracks, learning how ragas and rhythms shape film music. HiPS is perfect for those who love singing along to Bollywood hits but also want to build authentic skills that improve their singing quality and style.
Shankar Mahadevan, the maestro himself says, “This is an innovative way to start from what you know and discover the vast, beautiful world of music from there. This isn’t just about singing songs, it’s about understanding your voice, mastering expression, and learning how music truly works.”
Sometimes, the purest joy of music comes from singing the songs closest to your heart. The My Favourite Songs course is designed to do exactly that…help learners pick and master their beloved tracks. Whether it’s a timeless ghazal, a devotional bhajan, or a chart-topping film song, students learn correct techniques, expressions, and nuances under expert mentorship. It’s a flexible and highly personalized course that keeps passion at the center of learning.
Language is the soul of culture, and music makes it come alive. The Mother Tongue Series introduces children to songs in their native tongues, celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity. This program allows young learners to connect with their roots while also developing musical understanding. By singing in their mother language, children not only build a bond with tradition but also gain confidence in expressing themselves musically.
One of SMA’s most unique offerings is the Garbh Sangeet program, specially curated for pregnant women. Rooted in the belief that music deeply influences both the mother and the unborn child, this course offers soothing ragas, chants, and guided musical practices that create a positive, nurturing environment. Scientific research supports the benefits of music in reducing stress and promoting emotional well-being during pregnancy, making Garbh Sangeet both a spiritual and therapeutic journey.
The Heritage Series is like opening a treasure chest of India’s rich musical legacy. This course gives learners a chance to explore timeless compositions, folk traditions, and devotional music that have been passed down through generations. It’s not just about learning songs, but about experiencing the cultural stories and values behind them. For anyone who wants to feel more connected to India’s heritage while also improving their musicality, this program is a beautiful journey.
Through the Heritage Series Course, you will be able to:
Of course, music isn’t just about singing. SMA also offers Instrumental Music courses for learners who want to explore melody and rhythm through instruments. From the piano and guitar to traditional Indian instruments, students are guided step by step, learning techniques, practice routines, and performance skills.
Whether you dream of strumming your favorite song on the guitar, mastering the keys, or diving into the rich world of Indian instruments, there’s something here for every aspiring instrumentalist.
Konnakol, the vocal art of reciting percussion syllables in South Indian music is both fascinating and fun. It sharpens your sense of rhythm, enhances your timing, and builds a deeper connection with tala (beat cycles). Even if you’re not a percussionist, Konnakol is an incredible skill that improves overall musicianship. Many singers and instrumentalists use it to strengthen their rhythmic foundation, while also enjoying its almost meditative quality.
If you’re a rhythm lover and you wish to learn the essential rhythmic concepts and calculations in the language of Konnakol, Konnakol is an absolute delight!
As a leading music academy, we are not only committed to teaching music but also heal, rebuild, and restore hope. SMA Muskurahat is a unique initiative that brings together professionals from all walks of life including doctors, corporate leaders, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and established artists to perform fund-raising concerts.
The funds raised support struggling musicians, ensuring that their art and livelihoods continue to thrive. SMA Muskurahat is music in action…transforming passion into compassion to help all musicians including our teachers in their old age and exit planet Earth with grace and dignity.
During times of illness, pain, or loneliness, music can be the most soothing medicine. SMA Nirvana brings the joy of music directly to those who need it most. Partnering with hospitals, care centres, and senior-citizen communities, SMA Nirvana organises free online concerts that uplift hearts and spread positivity.
Whether it is a patient recovering, an elderly person in isolation, or anyone facing emotional struggles, these concerts remind them that they are not alone and that the healing power of music is always within reach! Isn’t that amazing?
Talent is universal, but opportunities are not. Inspire India seeks to change that. This initiative provides disadvantaged children with access to quality music education and a platform to grow. For these young learners, music is not just a skill but a pathway to confidence, self-expression, and joy.
With the right training and mentorship, children gain the poise to perform, the discipline to practice, and the courage to dream bigger. Inspire India doesn’t just nurture musicians…it nurtures brighter, happier individuals. And perhaps, hidden among them, is a maestro who will one day inspire the world.
Children on the autism spectrum respond to music in profound ways. SMA’s Joyful Choir harnesses this connection, giving these children an opportunity to sing, perform, and express themselves through music. Every session becomes a moment of discovery and joy, both for the children and for those around them.
By letting their voices be heard, the Joyful Choir creates small yet powerful celebrations of life, showing us how music truly transcends boundaries of ability.
Music should not be limited by geography or privilege. Through the Reach for India initiative, SMA spreads the joy of music to district schools across the country. By introducing structured music for children into classrooms, the program nurtures creativity, confidence, and cultural pride among young students.
For many of these children, this becomes their very first exposure to formal music education, a window to rhythm, melody, and expression that can stay with them for life. Reach for India ensures that music truly becomes a part of every child’s growth journey, no matter which socio-economic background they come from.
It’s never too late to learn music. SMA’s Music for Senior Citizens program opens doors for elders to reconnect with melodies they once loved or explore new ones. Learning music at this stage of life becomes a source of daily joy, mental stimulation, and emotional well-being. Whether it’s singing a bhajan, a folk tune, or a favourite song from their youth, the happiness on their faces is the best reward. For their families too, it is a priceless gift—to see parents or grandparents relive the magic of music and share it with loved ones.
What makes SMA special is not just the diversity of its courses but the way it delivers them. With an innovative online platform, students from across the globe can access live classes, practice tools, and teacher feedback. The academy balances authenticity with accessibility, preserving the depth of tradition while leveraging technology to reach learners wherever they are.
Equally important is the philosophy of joy that runs through every course. Music is never presented as a chore or purely academic subject; instead, it’s taught as an experience…the one that sparks creativity, discipline, and happiness.
The Shankar Mahadevan Academy has redefined how Indian music is perceived, taught and experienced worldwide. From the intricacies of Hindustani and Carnatic vocals to playful children’s programs, from Bollywood playback to therapeutic Garbh Sangeet, the academy offers a spectrum of opportunities for every music lover.
Every student’s journey is not just about mastering notes, but about discovering the profound joy of music..a gift that lasts a lifetime! Wish to know in detail about the above-mentioned courses? Feel free to reach out on admissions@shankarmahadevanacademy.com
Prachi Shah,
Curriculum Coordinator, Shankar Mahadevan Academy
Inspired by young kids and wise minds alike.
Vocalist, Writer, Coffee Connoisseur.
