During the interaction, the Prime Minister attempted to play Vande Mataram on a tablet under Vinayakam’s guidance, drawing laughter and praise from the composer, who jokingly called him “the best student.” As a symbolic gesture, Vinayakam presented PM Modi with a pencil, eraser, and blank manuscript – items he traditionally gives to his learners.
PM Modi meets music composer Ramesh Vinayakam in Chennai
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with acclaimed music composer Ramesh Vinayakam and his family in Chennai on Saturday, taking a break from election campaigning to acknowledge the composer’s work in preserving and promoting Indian music.
Gamaka Box Notation: A Bridge Between Tradition and Technology
In his post on X, PM Modi highlighted Vinayakam’s “Gamaka Box Notation System” as an innovative method to take Indian music to the world. Developed by Vinayakam in 2009, the system offers a modern, technology‑compatible approach to document and preserve Indian classical melodies, making them accessible for digital platforms.
Vinayakam demonstrated how the system can help build a comprehensive repository of Indian music, potentially enhanced by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In the midst of election campaigning, had the opportunity to meet Thiru Ramesh Vinayakam Ji and his family in Chennai. Ramesh Ji is a music composer and has devoted his life to popularising Indian music. He gave me a glimpse of his work in making the Gamaka Box Notation System.… pic.twitter.com/H2vGlCqUtH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2026
PM Tries His Hand at Music; Warm Cultural Exchange
During the interaction, the Prime Minister attempted to play Vande Mataram on a tablet under Vinayakam’s guidance, drawing laughter and praise from the composer, who jokingly called him “the best student.” As a symbolic gesture, Vinayakam presented PM Modi with a pencil, eraser, and blank manuscript - items he traditionally gives to his learners.
The session concluded on a high note with Vinayakam performing a devotional piece, leaving the Prime Minister visibly delighted.
Cultural Diplomacy Amid Election Campaign
The meeting comes as PM Modi continues campaigning in Tamil Nadu ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections, with vote counting scheduled for May 4. The interaction underscored the fusion of cultural heritage and innovation, aligning with broader efforts to showcase India’s artistic legacy on global platforms.
