Having grown up on, and studied, Carnatic music in Mumbai, Shanker Krishnan discovered a new and different world, once he was at the University of California, Berkeley (for a course in applied mathematics). The sounds of the 18th century Baroque music, mainly German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, created “a deep impact”.

A simultaneous passion for both forms led Shanker to question “if the emotional impact of Carnatic music’s ragas and gamakas could meet the intricate structure of Baroque counterpoint.” An elaborate exploration of the same led the Washington resident to compose…