'Beginner level Carnatic music' takes nearly a year to complete, and is taught by N S Kamakshi, who has more than 20 years' experience performing and teaching Carnatic music. Suitable for those with a basic knowledge of Carnatic music, it will cover a number of basic exercises and compositions, including Sarali varisai, Janta varisai, Dthatu varisai, Melthayi varisai, Malai, Geetham and some Varnams. 

N S Kamakshi will begin by teaching students the basic exercises required in Carnatic music, which are usually taught in a particular order. The first is Sarali varisai, which is used to help learn the swarams in the octave. It is learnt in descending and ascending fashion as well as at different speeds (kalams). The next exercise is Janta varisai, which is also used to learn the swarams in the octave but in twin fashion. 

Dhāttu varisai are exercises used to learn swarams in a zig-zag fashion to achieve more control over notes as well as different combinations. Finally, Melthayi varisai are exercises to help students sing in the higher octaves. 

Once students have mastered these exercises, N S Kamakshi will move on to compositions. Geetham means melody or song and will be the first type of song students will learn. The songs are short and students will sing lyrics along with their swaram patterns. Varnam, on the other hand, is suited to a wide variety of Carnatic music aspects, and is the most complex exercise. At a Carnatic concert, it's usually sung as the first song to warm up.

About Ms. N S Kamakshi: N S Kamakshi has over 20 years' experience teaching and performing Carnatic music. A well-known vocalist in India, she also plays the violin and has an MA in Indian Music from the University of Madras. Kamakski has a visual impairment, and hopes to share her love of Carnatic music with her students. Perhaps most known for her Musiri padanthram, she is a disciple of Smt Suguna Varadachari and received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture for Advanced Violin training in January 2002.