Karthik Iyer grew up in a household where music was a constant, shared language. With older sisters who sang and a family deeply involved in the U.S. Carnatic community, he spent much of his childhood traveling to Cleveland and other cities for festivals, competitions, and performances. His own journey deepened when he moved to India from fourth through eighth grade, immersing himself in rigorous training and completing an arangetram-like milestone before returning to the U.S. for high school.

Karthik learns from Sangita Kalanidhi Lalgudi Smt. Vijayalakshmi, torchbearer of the legendary Lalgudi Bani established by Lalgudi Sri Jayaraman. Under her guidance, he has developed a sensitivity to lyricism, precision, and the subtle interiority that defines the bani. He is an Advanced Pallavi prizewinner at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, and continues to evolve as an emerging violinist rooted in tradition yet eager to explore sound with curiosity and freedom.

For Karthik, artistry is anchored in joy—specifically the freedom he feels while creating and experimenting with nādham. He is drawn to exploring texture, color, and emotion through his instrument, often experiencing music as a meditative space. His professional goals are simple and sincere: to make music that is beautiful, joyful, and honest; to represent his artform authentically; and to make his gurus proud.

A physics major with a minor in computer science at the University of Illinois, Karthik is fascinated by the mechanics of sound—how we capture it, shape it, and interpret it. He hopes to pursue software development or work in applied physics, bringing together his technical and artistic instincts.

Creatively, he is especially drawn to the expressive possibilities of gamakams and the unexpected harmonic colors that emerge across ragams. In the coming year, he hopes to craft work that is joyful, bold, and memorable—music that honors tradition while embracing the thrill of discovery.