Today we’d like to introduce you to Sushma Putcha.
Hi Sushma, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in a home where music and education were not separate pursuits, but a natural part of daily life. My paternal lineage is deeply rooted in Indian Carnatic music. My grandfather was titled ‘Lakshana Vidwan’, a scholar well-versed in the grammar, rāga structures, compositions, musicology, and theoretical foundations of Carnatic music—not just performance (Lakshya), but the underlying science and tradition behind it.
He authored works on Carnatic music theory, including Saṅgīta Mārtaṇḍamu and Saṅgīta Śāstra Vācakamulu, among others. My father, Mr. P. V. S. S. Sastry, a renowned Indian Carnatic musician, author, and composer, carried that legacy forward through his global performances and service as the principal of government music colleges. Honored with titles such as Sangeeta Kala Tapasvi (“one deeply devoted to the art of music”) and Sangeeta Gurukula Sarvabhowma (“a supreme master in the traditional lineage of music education”), he has dedicated his life to preserving and nurturing the rich tradition of Carnatic music and now serves as a mentor at Carnatic Melodies.
On my maternal side, education formed the foundation of life. My grandfather was a mathematician and educator, and my mother continued that tradition as a school principal and teacher of mathematics and science. Both my parents were recognized for their dedication and contributions within their respective fields.
Growing up, music was simply woven into the fabric of my everyday life. Mornings often began with the sound of my father’s voice in practice, calm and unhurried, setting the rhythm of the household. Before leaving for school, I would often pass by my grandfather during his visits, already seated with his worn copy of Wren & Martin, immersed in quiet discipline. Those small, unspoken moments of music, learning, and routine shaped my upbringing in ways I understood only much later.
Evenings carried a different kind of rhythm. Our home was constantly alive with the presence of students – music lessons unfolding in one room while conversation and laughter drifted through another. To me, as a six-year-old, they never felt like visitors or disciples; they simply felt like family. The older girls would play with me, tease me, share jokes, and in the spaces between practice sessions and conversations, they became my companions and friends.
I grew up watching their journeys unfold closely over the years. I witnessed hesitant voices slowly gain confidence, uncertain students transform into poised performers, and quiet dedication blossom into artistry capable of moving an audience. Long before I understood the discipline behind it, I was witnessing what sustained devotion and patient guidance could create – not only in music, but in people themselves. Today, those very individuals have gone on to become distinguished artists, composers, and performers. They are presenting concerts across the world and receiving recognition and felicitations from esteemed cultural and musical institutions. Seeing their evolution firsthand gave me an early understanding of the enduring impact that true mentorship and commitment can have across generations.
Parallel to this upbringing, my academic pursuits also became an important part of my journey. I pursued my Master’s in Information Systems and went on to build my career within research institutions and organizations such as Oracle and CA Technologies, working in structured, performance-driven environments that shaped my discipline and professional outlook.
After marriage, my perspective deepened in more personal and meaningful ways. My husband carries a quiet intensity – calm, reflective, and deeply grounded – which gradually influenced the way I approached decisions, relationships, and life itself. My mother-in-law, too, shaped me in subtle but lasting ways. Through ordinary conversations and everyday moments, she helped me recognize strengths within myself that I had not fully acknowledged before.
As newlyweds, we consciously chose to step beyond routine and spend time living across different parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. Immersing ourselves in unfamiliar cultures, languages, and artistic traditions broadened my understanding of people and life itself. That phase gave me the rare gift of time and distance – the space to observe deeply, absorb quietly, and gradually reconnect with parts of myself that had always existed beneath the movement of everyday life.
After relocating to the United States, a quiet yet defining moment stayed with me. One day, while cleaning near my music system, a song began to play. I paused for a moment, standing close to the speaker, and found myself completely drawn into it. The lyrics spoke of legacy and discovering one’s path, and for those few moments, everything else seemed to fade into the background. It was a simple experience, almost ordinary, yet it has stayed with me ever since.
Over time, that feeling became clearer – that music was not merely something woven into my upbringing, but something I wanted to pursue with deeper intention and purpose. When I shared these thoughts with my husband, he responded with the same calm clarity that has always grounded me. He said it could become something truly meaningful, but he also spoke honestly about the two paths before me: continuing in the stability of an established career or stepping into something far less certain, yet deeply fulfilling.
What stayed with me most was what followed. Having shared his perspective, he stepped back completely, leaving the decision entirely in my hands. That freedom gave the choice a different kind of strength. It was no longer an emotional impulse, but a decision that settled gradually and firmly, with conviction.
In June 2025, I founded Carnatic Melodies. Today, the academy is guided by renowned gurus with extensive global performance experience – the very individuals I once grew up laughing and playing alongside as a child, as well as their own disciples. In many ways, the academy has become a living continuation of the same tradition that shaped my upbringing – a beautiful and unbroken lineage carried across generations through music, mentorship, and shared devotion.
Today, our students range from young children as young as seven to adults in their sixties. Some are beginning their journey early, slowly shaping what may become a lifelong relationship with music. Others return to it after decades, reconnecting with a passion they once had to set aside amidst the personal demands, responsibilities, and momentum of life. Watching both journeys unfold side by side has become one of the most meaningful aspects of this path for me.
The approach at the academy is shaped by three influences: my upbringing, my own informal journey with music, and my perspective as a parent. Together, they have helped form an environment that is both disciplined and engaging—where learning feels personal rather than mechanical, and where students are encouraged not only to build technical excellence, but also to develop a lasting emotional connection with music.
My children are learning both Carnatic vocal music and Western instruments, and they remain closely involved in the academy’s journey , contributing in their own little ways.
My vision is to thoughtfully bridge both worlds, honoring the depth and authenticity of tradition while embracing contemporary forms and perspectives. The goal is to create an approach that resonates with the next generation, keeping music not only relevant, but deeply meaningful and enduring.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I see it, the journey began long before the thought itself took shape. I would not describe the path as particularly difficult, but rather as one that demanded clarity, conviction, and intention at important moments along the way.
In my view, the greatest challenge in building any initiative is stepping beyond one’s comfort zone and continuing to hold on to an idea/thought strongly enough to pursue it with consistency. The next challenge is taking the first decisive step toward turning that thought into reality. Once that step is taken, the experiences, uncertainties, and lessons that follow simply become part of the larger process of growth and building something meaningful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Carnatic Melodies is an online music academy rooted in a family legacy of teaching Indian Carnatic music. We offer a structured yet holistic learning experience that combines core Carnatic training and semi-classical repertoire. The approach is designed to nurture both tradition and expression, guiding students through disciplined fundamentals while also exploring more accessible and expressive forms of music.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
During my childhood days, I have read the discourses and works of Philosophical gurus. Read ‘Complete works of Swami Vivekananda’ . I have particular interest in the works of Carl Jung.
Listen to thinkers such as Dr. Federico Faggin and Dr. Ramani Durvasula, and explore insightful content across platforms – from homemakers to physicists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carnaticmelodies.com
