Gamaka exists to cultivate engagement in Carnatic music.
Gamaka Incorporated is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to cultivate engagement in Carnatic (South Indian Classical) music in Australia.
We do this by organising concerts and workshops that create opportunities for artists, listeners, and learners to connect over a shared love of music.
Based in Melbourne, we're community-driven and run by volunteers, meeting our operational costs through small grants, sponsorship and donations.
We’re making a real difference.
Over the last nine years, we have successfully staged more than 50 music concerts and workshops in Melbourne. We’ve provided performance opportunities to over 80 local artists, some of whom haven’t had a platform to share their music for several years.
“Gamaka for me has always been about opportunity – to perform with a diverse range of musicians who come from wide and storied backgrounds”
“It is a beautiful experience for any artist to come and express themselves on such a unique platform”
Hear directly from artists who have performed for Gamaka…
We’re committed to quality.
Aesthetics matter to us. The word 'gamaka', unique to Indian classical music, means ‘ornamented note’.
We take pride in curating our events with careful attention to production quality. We care about creating wholesome aesthetic experiences for our artists and audiences - a graceful ‘ornamentation’ to the music.
“Such high-quality productions, so deserving for our Carnatic music that not many other organisations care to focus on. Wishing you guys the very best in all your future plans”
“Gamaka’s expertise in creating an ambience for both performers and listeners, including immaculate audio setup, tasteful videography and graceful stage decoration, is really commendable”
Our Team
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Nanthesh Sivarajah
CO-FOUNDER AND TREASURER
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Acktshan Vasavan
VICE PRESIDENT
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Bhairavi Raman
PRESIDENT
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Narthana Kanakasabai
SECRETARY
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Satheepan Elankumaran
BOARD MEMBER
Our story
Gamaka is a grassroots organisation. Our story began 15 years ago, arranging chamber concerts for private audiences in informal settings. We forged bonds as we watched and performed these concerts together with friends and fellow young musicians and artists, as opportunities to nurture our passions.
In 2015, Nanthesh Sivarajah and Ramya Madhavan co-founded Gamaka, bringing this concept to a larger, public audience, with a focus on empowering local musicians through performance opportunities. Since then, Gamaka has grown into a community connecting people as they share in music, musicianship and musical experiences.
Browse through the photos below to take a trip down memory lane.
