About The Musician
Sandeep Narayan, a renowned Carnatic vocalist, showcases profound artistry and virtuosity in his mesmerizing performances. With a rich musical lineage and training under renowned gurus, Sandeep seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, captivating global audiences. His mastery of ragas, improvisational skills, and emotive renditions set him apart in the realm of traditional South Indian (Carnatic) Music.
The Journey
From LA to Chennai
When Sandeep was just four years old, his parents Shubha & Narayan would overhear him singing songs he had heard his mother teach in class which he had not actually been taught. Early signs of his knack for music led his mother to start formally teaching him, and he gave his debut performance under her guidance at the age of eleven. This was a major steppingstone towards Sandeep pursuing the art form in a more focused and dedicated way. In fact, the following year, Sandeep took a break from school in America and moved to Chennai with his mother, for the sole purpose of receiving advanced training from one of the masters of Carnatic Music, K.S. Krishnamurthy.
After 1.5 years in Chennai, Sandeep returned to the US with an even deeper sense of focus towards crafting his art, but also wanting to pursue his academic studies as well. After his guru K.S. Krishnamurthy’s passing in 1999, Sandeep began training under the globally acclaimed Carnatic vocalist, Sanjay Subrahmanyan.
In 2006, after receiving his Bachelors of the Arts degree in ‘Law & Society’ from The University of California, Santa Barbara, Sandeep decided to permanently relocate to Chennai so that he could immerse himself completely in the world of Carnatic Music. It was a move that was unprecedented at the time but did not come as a shock to those who knew the extent of his passion.
Today, Sandeep regularly performs concert tours across Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
The Family
Music in the Genes
Sandeep’s interest in Carnatic Music from such a young age can be attributed to growing up in a very musical household. His mother Shubha Narayan was one of the first teachers of Carnatic Music in Southern California. Having trained under eminent musicians herself, Shubha provided Sandeep with a strong foundation. Sandeep’s father, K.S. Narayan, also had training in Carnatic music as a child growing up in Thiruvaiyaru, an area of South India known for its rich musical heritage. In the early 1980s, Narayan and Shubha began one of the first Carnatic music organizations in Los Angeles known as the “South Indian Music Academy” (SIMA), which is one of the premier organizations showcasing South Indian classical arts in the United States even today. After establishing the organization and serving as its president for over a decade, Narayan stepped aside to encourage the younger generation to take SIMA forward, ensuring a bright future for Carnatic music in Southern California.
Sandeep is the youngest of three boys in the Narayan family. His eldest brother Nikhil Narayan is a flautist trained by the legendary artiste, Dr. N. Ramani. Their other brother Nirmal Narayan is a mrudangam artist who received training from the percussion virtuoso, Umayalpuram Dr. K. Sivaraman. The encouragement and guidance from his brothers at an early age, has also been an integral factor in Sandeep’s musical pursuits.
In 2014, Sandeep married Radhe Jaggi, a professional Bharathanatyam dancer. Radhe and Sandeep nurture each other’s artistic passions, serving as both their biggest supporters and most candid critics. Their mutual encouragement drives them to continually improve in their creative pursuits.
The Educator
Guiding the Next Gen
Beyond his career as a performing artiste, Sandeep is a dedicated teacher, instilling a deep appreciation for the art form in the next generation. He enjoys educating through individual classes, group workshops, and conducting lecture demonstrations, especially to global audiences. The combination of being brought up in America and having lived and learned music for so long in India, puts Sandeep in a unique position to serve as a cultural ambassador between Carnatic music and audiences around the world. His commitment to preserving and evolving this ancient tradition cements his legacy as a leading figure in the world of Indian classical music.
The Future
Taking Tradition Forward
Pushing past the obstacles of being the first individual to make the bold move of relocating from the US to India as an adult for the sake of Carnatic Music, Sandeep altered the landscape of of the genre by changing the minds of many who doubted the ability of someone born and raised abroad to pursue this Indian tradition. Today, Sandeep strives to take Carnatic Music to wider audiences through collaborations with artistes from a variety of genres. He has worked with musicians from the Hindustani classical tradition, the Indian film industry, folk artistes from North and South India, artistes and producers of hip-hop and r&b, and has more recently even given his voice to jazz and Lo-Fi albums with award winning producers. Carnatic Music is often thought to be a complicated and difficult musical style. However, even in his more traditional performances, Sandeep aims to widen the listener base and present Carnatic Music in a way that is appreciable in today’s rapidly changing and fast paced world.
His unique style takes tradition to new heights, captivating audiences worldwide.