Mentorship and Collaboration: When Students Inspire Teachers
This past weekend, I had the chance to spend two intense, music-filled days in Boston with one of my students, Prashanth. Over 48 hours, we either sang or talked about music for what felt like 70% of the time. It was immersive, but it wasn’t rigid—we had a general idea of what we wanted to explore (like understanding rakthi ragams through varnams, kritis, and padams), but we gave ourselves the freedom to learn in the moment. It was creative, uncomfortable (which is an important part of the creative process), and deeply insightful. By the end of it, both of us had come out stronger as artists.
How My Students Inspire Me
All of y’all inspire me in so many ways. And Prashanth is a great example. He’s a doctor (which is a huge commitment on its own!) and has been training for it the entire time we’ve worked together. Despite his hectic schedule, he’s stayed absolutely dedicated to his music.
He works with the time he has. Some months, he has all the time in the world to dive into his music; other months, we shift to “maintenance mode” (more on that in another post!).
He thinks in music—it’s always with him, even if he’s not actively practicing.
He truly loves it. Like any of us, he gets frustrated when progress doesn’t look how he hoped, but he stays committed because his relationship with music is just that strong.
From Teacher-Student to a Collaboration
Over time, the teacher-student dynamic should change. I remember reading an article where a Bharatanatyam dancer explains so beautifully: as students grow in their art, the relationship should transform into more of an exchange or a collaboration rather than the typical hierarchy we think of.
Honestly, I’ve never been one for rigid hierarchies anyway. I think it’s important to give students a sense of agency no matter what stage they’re at. (But that’s another topic for another day!)
Now, my role with Prashanth is more about guiding him to bring his individuality to the forefront. His aesthetic, his take on manodharmam, his unique self-expression—it’s all his own. And when he brings that to the table, it doesn’t just help him grow as an artist; it inspires me too. It gives me new ways of thinking about ragas and sparks fresh ideas.
How This Weekend Changed Me
This past weekend, we allowed ourselves to just have musical conversations. No fixed agenda, no rigid structure. And what came out of that was something truly special. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after—it’s left me feeling rejuvenated and inspired to dive deeper into my own practice.
When I Say My Students Inspire Me, I Mean It!
I know I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: my students inspire me in ways I can’t always put into words. Their dedication, creativity, and willingness to grow constantly remind me why I love what I do. I’m so grateful for these moments of collaboration and the renewal they bring.