Sunday, December 21, 2008

My take on perceptions - Carnatic Music and Hindustani Music

Recently I came across a thread wherein there was strong criticism of Hindustani and Carnatic Music by the Carnatic music and Hindustani Music fanatics respectively. It definitely came in as a surprise, more so because I had just returned after attending the music concerts at Sawai Gandharva - Pune.

Friction between the fans and artists of the two styles is not an unknown fact. But sadly, what is affected in the midst of opinions, tastes, views and perception is Music at large. I happened to read about Carnatic Music being revived and Hindustani on the other hand struggling to make its mark. I somehow tend to disagree with it –more so after listening to the fantastic vocal performance by youngster Arshad Ali.

Talking about appreciation, I certainly do believe that down South, Hindustani Music still needs to make a mark, where as the Carnatic style has somehow managed to fit in well. I may sound slightly biased, but I say that with the conviction as I was a witness to an audience of over 15000 sitting through, enjoying and appreciating the performance by the Violin Maestros- Ganesh and Kumaresh.
Another issue that I came across was people squabbling as to which is a bigger event – the Music season at Chennai or the Sawai Gandharva held at Pune. ILLOGICAL COMPARISION again.

Music season – spreads across over a number of days in December and has many players – Sabhas, artists etc. involved. Sawai Gandharva is unique in its own style. Based in Pune, it is a single platform providing opportunities to different forms of performing art. It is altogether a different ball game. The bottom line is that both provide a platform to veterans and youngsters to demonstrate their skill and both definitely contribute to the growth and promotion of Indian Classical Music. They may have their share of positives or negatives – and it is always better to look at the brighter side. So it boils down to the fact that a true music lover is capable of inculcating the better aspects of any music within him.

So here is my plea to my non-existent readers - Please do not make sharp statements about things you do not know on Public Forums. It seriously has a damaging effect on novices who are being introduced to Music or any art form for the first time.

5 comments:

Sruthisagar Yamunan said...

But everyone has the right to talk for something they love. I think this kind of debate is what is keeping art alive.

Aakarsh said...

as every generation progresses, whats being preserved is what has been passed on to them + their own creativity. So, what trickles down is a mishmash and thats the way it is. A Nagumomu today could be different from what Saint Thyagaraja originally sang (not hugely), because there is something called artist's contribution too.
People need to acknowledge this change and keep pushing the envelope to attain the higher level of learning, which could be new too. Hindustani or Carnatic, both have their beauty, well preserved. Just that people need a different pair of eyes (and ears).

govindaraj k said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
govindaraj k said...

well as far as my understanding is... wat u just explained is completely normal. and it surprisingly happens at various levels..
--my kid better than ur kid.--
--my country better than ur country--
(and must surely have heard)
--my God better than ur God--

but only thing that is common behind all these emotions is insecurity.. once the human mind is insure about something... it finds its solace by comparing tht "something" with "something else".. and it ends up assuring itself and restoring faith..

well.. if our music gurus were not insure abt their own music.. they would have shut up and already known the answer to "which is the better music?"

so let it be... they can be forgiven...

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