Why carnatic music?

Yesterday I had a debate about carnatic music and it made me wonder what is going on with it today...

Some random thoughts about current carnatic music affairs:

• Its definitely more evolved than other forms of music, simply becasue any kind of improvement has been strictly uni-directlional for a few centuries now...
  
• Listening to lighter music after you've heard classical music compares to eating mac-cheese v/s a seven-course meal. Its hard to digest, and it needs a lot of preparation, but at the same time, the taste (if done right) is greater and so is the satisfaction. (Now, before carnatic-music-bashing begins) I am not talking about the superiority of any kind of music, I'm just stating why people cannot easily get it...
• Of course, carnatic musicians have historically been slightly conservative, which has in a sense, deterred its own growth. But I think this is a part of a life-cycle where the overhead of maintaining the tradition overtakes the advantages of the stronger framework. Once the wheel has been invented, its very hard to come with up with anything else that has such an impact.
  
• Coming to innovation, I guess not much is happening in mainstream carnatic music. Obviously I barely manage to sing some things that have already been sung a zillion times in the past, let alone try something new... Apart from electronic instruments, fusion music and jugalbandis, I am not aware of too many changes in this field... Are we stagnant? Or, have we reached so far that every new generation takes decades to reach the same landmark that tons of musicians have reached so many times before?
  

I'm not too worried about popularity of Carnatic music since it can only be appreciated by some and its definetely not a mass-appealer. In fact, it shouldnt be. But as far as listening is concerned, I wonder what are the differences between that and light music are, which makes so much of a difference in the user-base (listerners)... Another post awaits...