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more divine purpose than meets the eye. From outside, on the sidewalk of Catalina Place, a passer-by probably wouldn't imagine that the space has a use other than parking or storage. But with a "third eye," picture this: a humble class setting housed within, one which includes no chairs, tables or chalkboards, just students sitting in lotus position upon a collection of casual carpets.
       A "pitch instrument" continues to loop a rhythm as the teacher pauses to share insight about Indian classical music. At eye level with their beloved guru, the students listen to her narrate history behind hymns. Through a gentle voice, easily heard, the group is guided through seven notes (swarams), which have several variations that combine to produce a note structure (raagam).
       Blended with beat cycles (taalams), a song is formed, she explains.
       The students, still poised with upright posture, continue their poetic harmony, reminiscent of prayers. Each rotates a hand, backside and palm, slowly tapping a knee repeatedly to the pace of the music. Close to the earth, they

certain garage at a Fremont home has a far

By Sean A. Smith

What's Happening Magazine
February 2002

enter a high place of peace and healing, where the walls, garage door and other barriers drift away. The songs and recitals now make up the group's habitation.
       A decade ago, Latha Sriram, a 12-year Fremont resident, had just one student. Now, her school of Carnatic music, Sri Lalitha Gana Vidyalaya, enrolls about 150 students, ages 4 through 50.
       "Word of mouth" alone has attracted a following to Sriram's
courses, which include six levels, starting with a beginner's course.
       "The first person I taught was very interested in learning a set of songs. I met her at one of my concerts in Concord, and she was much impressed by the language Tamil. (Scholars recognize Tamil to be one of India's two languages of antiquity.)
       "When I started, I didn't even have the intention of becoming a professional teacher. Someone just came and asked me to teach a couple of songs and I agreed. I soon began to enjoy it, and I gradually became interested in teaching (multiple) classes."
       Sriram can be found six days a week conducting one-hour classes in the very garage in which the school was founded. Her schedule of morning, afternoon and evening classes includes a busy day of 12 hours of instruction on Saturdays.
       But the sessions are hardly work for Sriram, who is fluent in English; tranquility takes the place of time as attendees join her in expeditions through scientific underpinnings of music passed down century to century. Indian classical music, which dates back to the 2nd Century, includes Carnatic music, referring to the traditional music of a region.
       Although some aspects of the renditions composed could be considered a science, the artistry of the music can't simply be taught through a crash course, according to Sriram.
       Proficiency in maintaining a constant "pitch" (shruthi) requires

years of practice.
       "Kids learn the basics, which is good exercise for the mind -- it's mathematical. Advanced students read actual notes, study lyrics and learn improvisation of notes. This is a real music school. I was raised in a musical family with many musicians," says Sriram, who earned a bachelor's degree in classical music from the University of Madras in India, where she also learned to play the veena, India's most ancient string instrument.
       As the artistic director of her school, Sriram has held critically acclaimed concerts in India and in the United States, and, as a result, is highly regarded in the Bay Area, where two major productions were performed.
       The 1998 concert, "Great Composers," included a wide range of compositions. In 2000, "Shiva Bala" presented the sounds of many praise numbers.
       The third major production, scheduled for Feb. 23, will be especially significant, as it marks the 10-year anniversary of the school's founding.
       Most or all of her students will be involved with the event, dubbed "Sri Mahadevi" ("The Mother Earth"). Sriram says to expect a "full orchestra."
       "We'll have twice as many people participating as we had two years ago," she says enthusiastically. "It's always a nice experience of Carnatic music that is always well attended. The pieces of this production will be played for all to enjoy the glory of 'Devi' (divine mother goddess) and her many forms and facets. Our youngest to our oldest will perform, and I'm already proud of them all."
       Whether leading a large produciton of great composers before 500 attendees or sitting in the humble setting of her garage, Latha Sriram says she always will be found in song, where she belongs.

Carnatic Music