A Special Occasion
2025 marks the 250th birth anniversary of Dikshitar (1775–1835), and celebrations are happening across the world. Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran — an internationally renowned musician, IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus, and lifelong Dikshitar scholar — released his book Anubhuti: Experiencing Muthuswami Dikshitar at IIT Madras, with the release by Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras.
Kanniks repositions Dikshitar not merely as a classical composer, but as a traveller, a philosopher, a cultural bridge-builder, and — as I see it — the original Reinvention Catalyst.
Why an 18th-Century Musician in an AI Newsletter?
Dikshitar embodied the exact mindset we need today. He didn't resist change — he embraced it. He didn't cling to tradition — he expanded it. He didn't fear the unfamiliar — he integrated it into his mastery.
You don't need to understand ragas or talas to learn from him. You just need to notice how he navigated disruption, learned continuously, and created long-lasting impact. These are the same principles we need in the AI-transformed world.
The Fort St. George Moment
Two hundred and fifty years ago, young Dikshitar stood at Fort St. George in Chennai, watching an English military band play Western tunes. Most would have dismissed it: "Foreign music. Not our tradition. Why bother?"
But Dikshitar thought differently. He listened. He analysed. He found patterns. He recognized that the Western Major Scale resembled Shankarabharanam raga.
Then he did something revolutionary — he created 40 Notuswarams, blending Western melody with Sanskrit devotional lyrics. One of them — "Santatam Pahimam" — was inspired by "God Save The King."
"This wasn't imitation — it was integration. Just as we must now integrate AI — not reject it."
The Nine Dimensions of the Dikshitar Mindset
1. Embrace the Competition
He didn't see Western music as a threat — he saw possibility. He created something new that honoured both systems.
AI-Era Lesson: Don't fear AI. Pair with it. The future belongs to those who are AI + Human.
2. Build Multiple Skills
He was a composer, vocalist, Sanskrit scholar, and vainika gayaka. With his brother Baluswami, he helped introduce the violin to Carnatic music.
AI-Era Lesson: Become T-shaped — deep expertise plus broad capabilities.
3. Adopt Technology Early
He embraced the violin when purists rejected it. Today, it defines Carnatic concerts.
AI-Era Lesson: Early adopters don't follow the future — they shape it.
4. Travel Beyond Comfort Zones
He walked to Varanasi, Badrinath, Kathmandu, Rameswaram, and Guruvayur.
AI-Era Lesson: Growth requires leaving comfort.
5. Learn Entirely New Systems
In Varanasi, he studied Hindustani music, Dhrupad, jaru gamakas, and Vedanta. He became a beginner again — despite being an expert.
AI-Era Lesson: Unlearning is just as important as learning.
6. Integrate, Don't Imitate
He adopted Hindustani ragas and transformed them into Carnatic gems: Miyan ki Todi became Shubhapantuvarali, Malkauns became Hindolam, Yaman became Yaman Kalyani.
AI-Era Lesson: Use AI to amplify your identity — not replace it.
7. Experiment With the Unexplored
He composed in rare ragas like Saranga Nattai, Kumudakriya, Chaya Gowlai. Because he dared to explore, those ragas survive today.
AI-Era Lesson: Innovation lives in the unexplored edges.
8. Document Through Creation
His compositions are a musical travel diary of India's temples. Scholars still use them to study temple traditions.
AI-Era Lesson: Create while you learn. Share your process.
9. Think in Systems
His compositions form structured frameworks: Navavarana Kritis, Navagraha Kritis, Pancha Bhuta Kritis, Vibhakti Kritis.
AI-Era Lesson: Systems scale impact.
What Would Dikshitar Do With AI?
He would experiment. He would analyse musical patterns. He would create new forms. He would document. He would teach. He would explore global traditions.
He would treat AI as he treated the English military band — with curiosity, not fear. He would make AI his veena.
Your Reinvention Invitation
Ask Yourself
As we celebrate his 250th anniversary, ask yourself:
- What new "music" are you resisting?
- What journey are you avoiding?
- Where do you need to become a beginner again?
- How can AI amplify — not replace — your expertise?
You and I have tools he never had: LinkedIn. YouTube. ChatGPT. AI. Yet he achieved timeless mastery.
Originally published in the Reinvention in the AI Era newsletter on LinkedIn.
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