Madhu Vasudevan’s interest in Indian Classical Music started at a very young age and he spent a significant amount of his early life in researching the history of Indian Music spanning 100 years and studying about the leading Musicians of this period in both Carnatic and Hindustani styles.

Madhu Vasudevan has published more than 50 research articles in various literary journals in Kerala such as Bhashaposhini, Mathrabhumi, Kalakaumudi, Madhyamam, Weekly Samakalika Malayalam, and Grandhalokam etc about veteran musicians such as Swati Thirunnal, M D Ramanathan, M S Subbulakshmi, K V Narayana Swamy, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Gangubai Hangal, Amir Khan, Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Ravi Sankar, Bismillah Khan, Veena Sahasrabudhe, Oletti Venkateswaralu etc. and about the History of Flute, Music Tradition of Palakkad etc.

His first publication, Samskritiyude Vyakaranam was a best seller. His book Sangeetharthamu, received the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 2009. A result of his in-depth research in Indian classical music, it is a cultural and aesthetic study of Indian classical music and Indian Classical Musicians. It covers the history of Indian Classical Music, the widespread attempt to simplify it and the new generation’s lack of respect for the tradition and heritage.

Another book of Madhu Vasudevan, Devagandharam, getting ready for publication is a result of seven years of work, and is an evidence of his acuity for research and music. Through the essays he has attempted to place singers and instrumentalists historically, musically and culturally. This book has a detailed dissertation on MS Subbulakshmi that is a critical examination of the singer and her style.

His articles ‘Padmanabha Paahi’ in Kalakoumudi and ‘Devi Jagad Janani’ in Malyalam weekly played a very significant and major role in changing the age old tradition of Navarathri Music Festival in Thiruvananthapuram where female musicians were never invited to perform. His articles initiated a debate among the music fraternity and subsequently the music festival opened its doors for the female musicians. The first concert by the noted musician Parassala Ponnammal was a historic moment in the history of Navarathri Music Festival.

Madhu was appointed by the Govt of Kerala as the Coordinator of Expert Council for Music Education in Kerala, in recognition of his contributions to the field of music. The other council members were eminent personalities in the field of music such as Padamabhushan T N Krishnan, Padmabhushan Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Padmabhushan S Rajam and S R Janaki Raman.

He has also written many devotional songs. His album “MOKSHA” was dedicated to the spiritual leader and Himalayan Yogi, Sri M.

Two anthologies- ‘Viraham’ and ‘Love In Metro’ which has 40 odd poems are to be published soon.

Madhu also extended his research to Western music, covering various genres of Jazz, Blues and Pop.