This blog post is inspired by Kannik's article and I would like to add a few more specifics with examples in this post.
Indie bands/musicians such as Agam and Remember Shakti have already been making innovations in Carnatic music through deliverance in the progressive rock and world fusion styles respectively. In addition to these bands, artists such as Srinivas (late) and Prasanna have disrupted the scene by delivering this art form through non-traditional instruments such as Mandolin and Electric Guitar respectively. While these are some of the famous artists known to bring in some innovation to Carnatic music scene, here are some not-so-popular yet promising artists who have disrupted the Carnatic music scene making it more democratized.
1. Sakthi Ravitharan - I had written about her talent and music in one of my earlier blog posts. However, I would like to remind that again here. What is unique about her music is the deliverance of raga-based compositions in English sung in Operatic style. Invest in Sakthi by buying her work here.
2. Gautam Tejas Ganeshan - What is unique about Gautam's music is his sincere appreciation of the art form combined with his original poetic lyrics in English that can potentially attract the non-Indian audience as well. Not only has he managed to arouse the curiosity in the minds of a non-Indian audience but also has he managed to bring the art form to more non-traditional venues such as streets in busy market places, art galleries, and pizza/bakery outlets. Consider investing in him by making a donation on his website.

Head over to my website for more info, concert dates, etc: http://gautamtejasganeshan.com And if you enjoy these concert films, please visit my website and click the yellow button make a donation! I ask because it's necessary. Consider it an investment in the next one. $5 is a good start. A lot goes into making these, and I do it myself from scratch - write the songs, book the gigs, cobble together the band, invite the listeners, hit record, sing my ass off, sleep it off, review the footage, contemplate my flaws, cut the video, upload for days, and voilà. Live @ Subterranean Arthouse [12.12.15] - Berkeley, CA Gautam Tejas Ganeshan - song Arvind Lakshmikanthan - violin Subiksh Chandrashekar - mridangam Vijay Narayan - tambura, voice Gautam Tejas Ganeshan has performed widely in the SF Bay Area since 2004.

3. Mahesh Raghvan - What is unique about Mahesh's music is his deliverance of Carnatic compositions in electronic music format. The day is not too far when we get to hear Carnatic music in popular DJ parties and dance floors. Here is one of my favorites of Mahesh's (00:49-00:54 is brilliance). Also, invest in Mahesh's talent and buy his album here.

Carnatic Music 2.0 - Nadaloludai Download the MP3 - https://mahesh-raghvan.bandcamp.com/releases Presenting Carnatic Music with a digital twist. Nadaloludai is a Carnatic music composition by Tyagaraja (1767 - 1847), in the raag Kalyana Vasantham. Here, it has been fused with Dubstep, making it an interesting combination of Eastern Classical and Contemporary Western (Commercial/Popular) music styles.

Personally, I am loving these changes and I hope more millennials, including myself, would be able to contribute more to these innovative models by bringing a positive change to the Carnatic music art form.
If you know any other artists similar to the ones mentioned above, please share in the comments section.

Sign up below for our weekly newsletter to receive similar artist recommendations and relevant articles directly to your inbox.