Inaugurated in 1993 by Mr & Mrs Umakanthan who have devoted most of their time to Carnatic music, Swaralayam is one of the best institute for south-Indian Carnatic music which offers courses in classical Vocal, Violin, and Veena to the expatriate Indian and Sri Lankan community in Germany.

Mr Umakanthan himself is a Violinist, graduated from the Fine Arts Department of the University of Jaffna, in Sri Lanka, in 1978. He began to practice under his Guru Rajeshwari Sandrasekaram up to the university, then he learned under its Guru Thanathevy Mithradeva and under V.K. Kumarasamy. He continues to practice his skills under the guidance of his Guru Sri Ragavendra Rao of Chennai, India.

Mrs Revathy Umakanthan started her career as a vocalist in Carnatic style and has also specialized to play Veena. She continues to learn and enhance her training under her Guru Sangeetha Choodamani, Gana Kala Bhusani Smt Sudha Ragunathan, her brother Sri Prasad Venkatrahman and their mother Smt Chudamani Venkatrahman of Chennai, India. Smt Vasantha Krishnamurthi is her Guru for Veena. Mrs Revathy devotes equal time to improve her skills in both Vocal and Veena.

With all the experiences they have gained so far and the continuation of practicing their skills in their respected specialized fields, the Umakanthan family is offering their knowledge to other people who are interested and keen in learning Carnatic music, by establishing  this institute called Swaralayam. Swaralayam has branches in Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Saarbrücken.