Why is the voice culture in Carnatic music so bad?

The perception that voice culture in Carnatic music is "bad" is subjective and often comes from comparisons with Hindustani or Western classical singing. However, Carnatic music has its own unique approach to vocal training that prioritizes precision, gamakas (oscillations), and expressive delivery over a "smooth" or "polished" tone. Why Does Carnatic Singing Sound Different? 1. Heavy Use of Gamakas (Ornamentation) Unlike Hindustani music, where notes are often sustained smoothly, Carnatic music relies heavily on gamakas (oscillations and rapid note variations). These gamakas are integral to ragas and make the voice sound more textured and dynamic, which some may perceive as "rough" or "unrefined." read less