The 13th INDICA IKS MetaRetreat: Safeguarding The Sacred Context Of Carnatic Classical Music

INDICA is pleased to announce the 13th IKS MetaRetreat, titled “Safeguarding the Sacred Context of Carnatic Classical Music”, to be held from 20–22 June at the Vilvam Foundation, Tiruvannamalai.

This MetaRetreat, anchored by Shri Subramanian Chidambaram, will offer a reflective space for open and honest conversations among a select group of performing artists, institution builders, critics, and connoisseurs. The retreat seeks to examine the contemporary challenges facing Carnatic music and to collectively explore pathways for preserving its spiritual integrity and civilizational depth in today’s rapidly changing cultural landscape.

Music is a universal language—an expression of nature, the mind, and the soul. While it offers entertainment and emotional resonance, in the worldview of Sanātana Dharma, music is a sacred pursuit. It is both kalā (art) and śāstra (science), and serves as a spiritual discipline leading to inner transformation and communion with the Divine. In Bhārata, music’s roots lie in the Sāmaveda, evolving into the Gāndharvaveda, an Upaveda dedicated to the study and practice of music.

Carnatic music, deeply anchored in Bhakti, has long served as a vehicle for devotion and self-realization. Today, however, it is navigating turbulent waters. Efforts to secularize or decontextualize it—from reinterpreting lyrics out of their devotional framework, to repurposing compositions in unrelated religious or ideological contexts—pose challenges to its authenticity. In some cases, the legacies of revered composers are being questioned or misrepresented. These developments, while often framed in the language of inclusivity or reform, risk diluting the very soul of the tradition.

This MetaRetreat is a timely effort to reflect on how Carnatic classical music can remain both accessible and true to its roots—how it can evolve without erasure. The time has come for a shared commitment to safeguarding its sacred context, nurturing its continued vitality, and resisting forces that may compromise its essence.

We believe that by coming together—artists, institution builders, critics, and connoisseurs—we can engage in thoughtful dialogue, rigorous reflection, and collaborative visioning. This gathering is our humble squirrel seva toward ensuring that this great tradition flows seamlessly from a luminous past into a purposeful future.

INDICA is pleased to invite one participant from the connoisseurs of Carnatic Classical Music to this exclusive MetaRetreat where distinguished performing artists, scholars and institution builders are participating through invitation.Selection will be based on one’s engagement and relationship with the Carnatic Classical Music world and a commitment towards safeguarding its Sacred Context.

Please apply the registration form in this announcement. We shall get back to you at the earliest.

Shivakumar GV

Director – IKS Changemakers

(Guru-Sadhaka Sachiva)

INDICA Reports on our Website on our previous MetaRetreats

Launch of IKS MetaRetreats 

The 5th IKS MetaRetreat Report: Making Sense of Cultural Differences 

The 6th IKS MetaRetreat Report: Deconstruction and Reconstruction beyond Colonial Discourse

The 7th  IKS MetaRetreat Report: Shakti – The Power Of Indic Feminine

The 8th IKS MetaRetreat Report: Indian Classical Dance – Beyond Proscenium

The 9th IKS MetaRetreat Report: “Indian Knowledge Systems – Imagining The Future

The 10th IKS MetaRetreat Report: Sacred Ecology : Hindu Perspectives On Future Environmentalism

INDICA Event Announcements on our Website of the previous MetaRetreats

The 1st IKS Meta-Retreat Event: Towards A Self Conscious Nation – Indica Events

The 2nd IKS Meta-Retreat Event: Hinduism: The Hope Of Philosophy – Indica Events

The 3rd IKS Meta-Retreat Event: Oral Storytelling Traditions – The Road Ahead – Indica Events

The 4th IKS Meta-Retreat Event: Tech For Dharma, Tech With Dharma – Indica Events

The 5th IKS Meta Retreat Event: Making Sense Of Cultural Differences

The 6th IKS Meta Retreat Event: Deconstruction & Reconstruction: Beyond Colonial Discourse

The 7th IKS MetaRetreat Event: INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE – BEYOND PROSCENIUM

The 8th IKS Meta Retreat Event: Shakti – The Power Of Indic Feminine

The 9th IKS Meta Retreat Event: Indian Knowledge Systems – Imagining The Future

The 10th IKS MetaRetreat Event: Sacred Ecology – Hindu Perspectives On Future Environmentalism

The 11th IKS MetaRetreat Event: Indian Knowledge Systems In Management

The 12th IKS MetaRetreat: Transformative Pedagogy – Exploring Hindu Learning Traditions

Faculty

Subramanian Chidambaran

Indic Research Scholar and Carnatic Musician

Subramanian (Subbu) Chidambaran hails from a family of Samavedic scholars from the Puthucode village of Kerala. He is an engineer and MBA from IIM by qualification and is the Director of Strategy with a leading MNC in India. He is an MA in Sanskrit with specialization in Vedanta and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in 'Indic perspectives for leadership' from Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth. He is also a trained carnatic musician; faculty of Bhakti, Puranas and Vedanta and an author.