The two-year postgraduate curriculum of the Master of Performing Arts (MPA) in Music is designed to integrate rigorous theoretical scholarship with intensive practical training. The programme examines Indian culture and aesthetics alongside the physiological and acoustic foundations of music, offering insight into both the science and philosophy underlying musical expression. It engages critically with musicological texts and draws interdisciplinary references from sculpture, manuscripts, and epigraphic sources, while providing an in-depth study of core musical components such as tāla, rāga, and manōdharma saṅgīta.
The practical dimension of the programme adopts a holistic and immersive approach to Karnataka Classical (Carnatic) Music, enabling students to develop technical proficiency, interpretative depth, and stylistic authenticity within established traditions. Through this balanced framework, the programme cultivates well-rounded musicians with strong analytical, performative, and cultural competencies.
Pedagogy of the Programme
Each semester of the Program covers both theory and practical syllabi. The Program also offers Department-specific Electives and Open Electives, as well as Certificate courses that cover major aspects of music. The students are also trained in communication and presentation skills through class presentations and assignments. The students are well-trained in impactful performances through classroom productions, music productions, individual ensemble concerts, and practical lessons, and they also hone effective analytical and writing skills through the research methodology while they work on their Master’s dissertation in the fourth semester.
National Education Policy (NEP)
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced by the Government of India, aims to transform the country's educational landscape by fostering an inclusive, flexible, and holistic approach to education. JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), recognised for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation, has embraced the NEP 2020 with a strategic focus on implementing its core principles and recommendations.
Duration: 2 years - 4 semesters
Total Credits: 88 Credits
A student who has passed a 3-year undergraduate degree (level 5.5, a total of 120 credits) shall be eligible for admission to 2-year MPA programmes.
Preference will be given to candidates who have secured at least 50% marks (45% marks in case of candidates belonging to the reserved category) in the qualifying examination.
NOTE: However, students who have not studied the requisite courses from the discipline related to the respective programmes will have to undertake the prescribed bridge course(s).
6th Phase, 319, 25th Main Rd, KR Layout,
6th Phase J. P. Nagar,
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078
P: 080 4343 0400
JAIN Knowledge Campus
#44/4, District Fund Road
Jayanagar 9th Block Campus
Bangalore - 560069
P : +91 73376 13222
P : +91 76763 86870
A blend of both conventional techniques and modern technology used in the courses equips the student in practical learning. Lectures and masterclasses conducted by experts in the field of music encourage students to initiate their Music productions and participate in various events, conferences, masterclasses, and concerts. At the end of the program, the students will be able to:
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Graduates of the Classical Carnatic Music programme are well-prepared for diverse and evolving professional pathways, including:
Classical Performance and Artistic Practice
Graduates shape the living tradition of Carnatic music through disciplined vocal or instrumental performance across concert halls, sabhas, temple spaces, and contemporary performance platforms. They interpret rāga, tāla, and compositional forms with aesthetic integrity, uphold lineage-based practices, and contribute to the ethical continuity of India’s classical music heritage while engaging diverse audiences in India and abroad.
Composition, Manodharma, and Creative Direction
Drawing on advanced theoretical knowledge and improvisational mastery, graduates design original compositions, develop manodharma (creative improvisation), and curate concert experiences that balance tradition with innovation. They collaborate with dancers, theatre practitioners, and multimedia artists, expanding the expressive scope of Carnatic music while maintaining stylistic authenticity and professional responsibility.
Pedagogy, Curriculum Design, and Arts Education
Graduates advance music education by teaching, mentoring, and designing structured learning pathways across universities, music schools, cultural institutions, and community initiatives. They apply outcome-based pedagogical approaches aligned with NEP 2020, foster inclusive and ethical learning environments, and support the intergenerational transmission of Carnatic music through research-informed teaching practices.
Research, Documentation, and Music Scholarship
Equipped with research literacy, graduates analyse musical forms, composers, performance practices, and historical contexts within broader cultural and philosophical frameworks. They contribute to academic research, archival projects, and music documentation initiatives, strengthening scholarly discourse, heritage preservation, and interdisciplinary engagement in Indian music studies.
Cultural Entrepreneurship and Professional Practice
Graduates design sustainable artistic careers by initiating ensembles, lecture-demonstration series, digital music initiatives, and independent cultural enterprises. They navigate project management, funding ecosystems, and audience development while balancing artistic vision with ethical professionalism, contributing to the vitality and accessibility of the classical music ecosystem.
Digital Engagement, Media, and Cultural Advocacy
With an understanding of digital tools and contemporary media platforms, graduates translate Carnatic music knowledge for wider audiences through recordings, digital archives, educational content, and online performances. They advocate for responsible cultural representation, leverage technology to extend reach without diluting artistic values, and support informed public engagement with classical music traditions.
Together, these pathways equip graduates with adaptability, scholarly depth, and professional resilience, enabling them to sustain meaningful careers and contribute thoughtfully to the evolving cultural, educational, and creative landscapes over the long term.
This programme is designed for students with prior training in music who wish to deepen their artistic practice, theoretical understanding, and academic engagement with music. It is suitable for performers, educators, and those interested in research or allied careers in the music field.
Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree in Karnataka Classical Vocal music, performing arts, or a related discipline are eligible. Candidates with substantial professional training or performance experience may also be considered, subject to university norms and evaluation.
The programme integrates both performance and theory. Practical training strengthens musical expression and technique, while theoretical and analytical courses develop critical thinking, historical awareness, and contextual understanding of music.
Students study compositional forms, performance practices, music history, theoretical concepts and elements of improvisation. The programme also introduces students to research methods and academic writing in music.
At the Master’s level, the focus shifts from learning what music is to understanding how and why musical practices function. Students are encouraged to analyse, question, and interpret musical ideas rather than only reproduce them.
Yes, research forms a key component of the curriculum. Students learn how to read scholarly literature, frame research questions, and write analytically, preparing them for dissertations and publications.
Graduates may pursue careers as performers, teachers, researchers, arts administrators, content creators, among many others. The programme also provides a strong foundation for doctoral research in music and related disciplines.
Yes, the curriculum develops both musical depth and conceptual clarity which are essential for effective teaching. Students gain the ability to explain musical ideas systematically and contextually, making them suitable for academic and institutional teaching roles.
While grounded in tradition, the programme examines how music functions in present-day contexts. Students are encouraged to reflect on changing performance practices, pedagogy, and the role of music in modern society.
No, while performance is important, the programme is equally suited for those interested in music as an academic, cultural, and intellectual discipline. It welcomes students who wish to engage with music beyond the stage, through teaching, research, and cultural work.