CHENNAI, INDIA — Musician, composer, music director, international music mentor and founder of Athreya Academy V. Kiran Varsith is bringing Carnatic musical traditions into a contemporary production environment with Notuswaram Volume 2, scheduled for release on October 30, 2026.
The Sanskrit project is built around the Carnatic raga Shankarabaranam and combines classical musical concepts with electronic and EDM-inspired production. It represents the next stage of Varsith’s Notuswaram series, through which he explores how traditional Indian musical ideas can be presented through contemporary sound and production techniques.
A significant milestone in Varsith’s musical journey came in 2025, when he received the Acharya Sangeet Ratnakar Award for his contributions across music and education. Rather than treating the recognition as a conclusion, Varsith continues to work across composition, music direction, performance, mentorship and music education. His musical interests span Carnatic music, devotional music, Indian-language compositions, contemporary fusion and electronic production.
“My intention is not to replace traditional Carnatic music with technology. I want to explore what becomes possible when traditional musical knowledge and contemporary production tools work together,” says V. Kiran Varsith.
Tradition Meets Contemporary Production
At the centre of Notuswaram Volume 2 is Shankarabaranam, one of the important ragas of the Carnatic tradition. Varsith approaches the project by retaining the musical identity of the classical framework while incorporating programmed rhythms, electronic textures and modern arrangement techniques.
Rather than simply placing a traditional melody over a modern beat, the project explores how electronic production can interact with classical musical concepts to create a contemporary listening experience.
For Varsith, technology is a tool rather than a replacement for musical knowledge.
Technology can provide new possibilities for arrangement, sound design and production, but the musical decisions still come from the musician,” he explains.
A Musician and Educator
Alongside his work as a composer and music director, Varsith is the founder of Athreya Academy, where he works in music education across Carnatic music, keyboard, vocal training, music theory, rhythm and composition.
His teaching approach also incorporates subjects connected with the science of sound and contemporary music technology. Students are encouraged to understand concepts such as raga, rhythm, melody, harmony and frequency rather than relying only on imitation.
This educational approach reflects Varsith’s broader interest in connecting traditional musical knowledge with the tools available to musicians today.
Exploring Music in the Digital Age
The rapid development of digital production, distribution platforms and artificial intelligence is changing how music is created and consumed. Varsith sees these developments as opportunities for musicians to experiment while maintaining a strong understanding of their musical foundations.
His approach places musical knowledge at the centre of technological experimentation. Digital tools can influence the way a composition is produced, arranged and presented, but the cultural and musical foundations remain important to the creative process.
This philosophy also informs his work with students at Athreya Academy, where traditional learning is increasingly connected with contemporary technology and musical applications.
Beyond Composition
Varsith’s musical activities extend beyond recording and production. His work includes mentoring, music education, composition and collaboration within devotional and community-oriented musical environments. He is also associated with Gopals Garden, an ISKCON community in the United States, where he is addressed as “Prabhu Ji.”
Across these different roles, his work continues to focus on three interconnected areas: preserving musical foundations, developing new forms of expression and making music education relevant to a changing technological environment.
With Notuswaram Volume 2, Varsith continues that exploration by bringing together Sanskrit, Shankarabaranam, Carnatic musical principles and electronic production in a single project.
The release, scheduled for October 30, 2026, marks another step in his continuing exploration of the relationship between Indian classical music, contemporary production and the evolving digital landscape.
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