From 1950 to 1953 he worked with Jeanine Rueff, then left for India, acquainting himself with traditional Hindu music in Bombay and Calcutta.

Upon returning to France in 1954, he studied composition with Tony Aubin and the philosophy of music with Olivier Messiaen at the Conservatoire de Paris.

The same year as his appointment as general inspector, he founded a center for Gregorian studies and traditional music, and also began teaching courses in orchestration at the Conservatoire de Paris.

Upon his return from India, Charpentier sought to synthesize these new Eastern influences with his Western musical culture.

In 1957 he undertook a colossal work dedicated to the 72 Carnatic styles of India, the basic scales of traditional Indian music.