About AIMA, Dr TVG’s Academy of Indian Music & Arts

“If you can speak, you can sing.”

Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, Founder-Chairman

A contemporary gurukulam where everyone can learn Indian music and dance, at their own pace and on their own path. More than 15,000 students worldwide since 1974.

Who we are

Dr TVG’s Academy of Indian Music & Arts (AIMA) is a Chennai-based music and dance academy and registered charitable trust, founded by Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan. It began in 1974 as the Chembai Memorial Music Center and became AIMA on 27 June 1984. Today, 20 trained faculty teach vocal music, instruments, percussion and Bharatanatyam to more than 15,000 students worldwide, across four Chennai campuses, partner centres and online classes.

AIMA follows Dr TVG’s belief that music belongs in everyone’s daily life. We welcome every learner, whatever their talent, background, income or language, and teach in a way that is engaging and relevant to them. Some learners come for joy and well-being, some for a strong foundation, and some for the concert stage. We identify each learner’s path and guide them along it, in a gurukulam ethos adapted for today’s students.

One academy, every kind of learner

Many people stop learning music because they are told it is only for the gifted or the technically trained. At AIMA, everyone can learn, and we shape the learning around the learner.

For children, adults and seniors

Learn for joy

Engaging, accessible classes for anyone who simply wants music in their life. No prior training needed.

See courses for every learner

For committed learners

Build a strong foundation

Structured, levelled learning, with optional SRMIST grade certification to mark each step.

About SRMIST certification

For learners with the aptitude and ambition

Train for the stage or classroom

Identified and coached rigorously for performance, arangetram and teaching careers.

See diploma programs

Our repertoire reaches across languages, with songs in Tamil, Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Nepali, English and more, so every learner finds music that speaks to them.

Our founder

Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, Founder-Chairman

Born in Tripunithura, Kerala, Dr Tripunithura Viswanathan Gopalakrishnan has the rare distinction of being acclaimed as a vocalist in both the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions, and as a master of the mridangam. The foremost disciple of Padma Bhushan Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, he became an innovator in Indian jazz and has performed on international stages alongside artists such as Bob Dylan and George Harrison.

As a guru, Dr TVG has trained hundreds of students who are now performing singers, instrumentalists and composers. His research in voice culture and music therapy has helped countless performers overcome voice problems, and his vision of a dignified livelihood for every professional musician lives on in AIMA and its charitable wing, LiAF.

Under his guidance, Dr Devie Neithiyar, Chief Executive Director & Trustee, leads AIMA’s academics and operations.

Our vision

A world where music is part of everyone’s daily life, because if you can speak, you can sing.

Our mission

To bring music learning to everyone, removing the barriers of talent, social background, income and language that keep so many people away from music.
To make learning engaging and relevant, so that no one has to master technique first in order to enjoy and benefit from music.
To identify learners with the aptitude and ambition for the professional stage, and to coach them rigorously as performers and teachers.
To bring the healing, stress-relieving power of Indian music to schools, workplaces and communities.
To give deserving young artists a stage, and to help musicians earn a dignified livelihood.
To preserve the knowledge of veteran masters through research, documentation and archiving, for future generations.

What we value

Music for all

Talent, background, income, language and age are not entry requirements.

Every learner, their own path

Not everyone needs to become a performer. We teach each person in the way that serves their goals.

Engagement first

Learning should be enjoyable and meaningful from the very first class, and depth comes naturally from there.

Rigour for those who seek it

Aspiring professionals get structured levels, certification and serious stage preparation.

Gurukulam ethos

Close guidance from teacher to student, in a form that fits modern lives.

Music as well-being

Indian music as a time-tested way to reduce stress and build positivity.

What we do: our four pillars

Learning centres

Paatashaalas

AIMA’s campuses, partner centres and online classes. They train performers, teachers and lifelong learners, from beginner level to the SRMIST-certified diploma.

Campuses and partner centres

Our charitable wing

LiAF

LiAF supports musicians in need, funds training for underprivileged students (including the SRMIST Diploma in Music Teacher Training), and helps artists build sustainable careers.

About LiAF

Music beyond the classroom

Wellness & Outreach

Music programs for schools, corporates and residential communities, centred on the therapeutic and stress-relieving benefits of Indian music.

AIMA programs

Preserving our heritage

Research & Archives

Research into ancient musicological works and instruments, studies of music in healing and therapy, documentation of rare art forms, publication of previously unpublished works, and restoration of archival audio and video.

Research programs

AIMA in numbers

1974five decades of music education

15,000+students worldwide

20trained faculty

4Chennai campuses, plus partner centres and online classes

4,000+young musicians showcased through AIMA festivals

10+languages in our repertoire

Our legacy: the Chembai and Dr TVG lineage

Generations of musicians trained in the tradition of Chembai and Dr TVG now perform, teach and lead across India and the world.

Voices of AIMA

What makes my learning special is how Devie Ma'am makes each student believe in their own ability. Her words "If you can speak, you can sing", completely changed the way I looked at music. She creates a safe and encouraging space where even those without formal training. like me, can grow.
Divya Rupa, SWAS

I have been to 3 or 4 different teachers so far, a merked difference is the level of precision and detail in every single thing. Her guidance has really helped me control my voice in class as well as when I practice at home.
Akshaya, Voice Training

Devie akka has inspired and opened my eyes to the many aspects of music, which were truly shown during the Concert.
Shankari, TAPP Workshop

Explore more about AIMA

Begin your music journey with AIMA

Try any course free. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you find your path.

About AIMA, Dr TVG’s Academy of Indian Music & Arts

Who we are

One academy, every kind of learner

Learn for joy

Build a strong foundation

Train for the stage or classroom

Our founder

Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, Founder-Chairman

Our vision

Our mission

What we value

Music for all

Every learner, their own path

Engagement first

Rigour for those who seek it

Gurukulam ethos

Music as well-being

What we do: our four pillars

Paatashaalas

LiAF

Wellness & Outreach

Research & Archives

AIMA in numbers

Our legacy: the Chembai and Dr TVG lineage

Voices of AIMA

Explore more about AIMA

Our Story

The TVG Teaching Methodology (TTM)

Leadership & Faculty

Campuses & Partner Centres

Our Alumni

Student & Parent Voices

Frequently asked questions

Begin your music journey with AIMA