With the advent of technology, now, artistes are able to reach their music to a wider section of people. However, the rigors of learning remain the same. I have a number of young, upcoming artistes for friends, and I often see the struggle they go through. Add to that the gestation period before the ‘birth’ of success, being longer, as compared to other professions.
Learning requires basic talent in the skill, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a sense of discipline, perseverance and humility. This, after all, isn’t a skill one could master by listening to recordings and imitation! The teacher is not merely one who imparts some knowledge; s/he takes the status of a ‘Guru’- the person who tunes not only the taanpura, but also the student. The task of being a Guru isn’t easy; s/he must be able to pass on the skill and knowledge without passing her/his own personal prejudices to the student.
The student on her/his part puts in hours of rigorous practice or ‘riyaaz’ to perfect the nuances of a Raga. This apart from studying to be an Engineer, Architect or Littérateur!
The music is very ancient and the bases are very structured. A Raga cannot be mastered in a single session with the Guru. It isn’t the mere learning of a composition; it requires a serious involvement and understanding of the basic structure on which the Raga rests. It demands complete participation to be able to not only immerse oneself in the mood or flavour of the Raga but also take the listener along….
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The field of Hindustani Classical music isn’t very organised. It could even do with a bit of professionalism, if I may say so. With sponsors and listeners in the minority, it probably becomes that much more difficult to establish oneself as an artiste of repute. Needless to say, that this isn’t bereft of its share of politics and sleaze!
A young artiste, who starts to perform professionally, would have spent at least a good decade in serious learning. Once having decided to take it up as a career, interaction with the various organisers and platforms associated with promoting this genre of music begins. A period of ‘personal public relations’ ensues.
There’s nothing orchestrated about a classical music performance. It’s completely impromptu. No rehearsals either. There are a number of occasions when an Artiste hasn’t even met those accompanying her/him, until just before the performance. The younger breed of Artistes is more aware of acoustics and ensures a good check prior to a performance. In an earlier post, I had jotted the profile of a listener at such a concert. It isn’t easy for a young Artiste to impress upon such an audience. The performance is, almost always, critically dissected!
Most of the stalwarts we know have gone through extremely rough times to achieve what they did in making contributions to this genre of music. Yet, sadly enough, we are happier about an ‘A.R. Rehman’ winning international awards and nominations, than about the Bharat Ratna being conferred on Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. While the media spent hours covering all the jazz of A.R. Rehman, they couldn’t ‘spare’ more than a few minutes on the Pandit!
‘Jhanana paayal baaje…’ in Raga Jaijaiwanti; Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
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The Hindi film ‘Delhi – 6’ has a track of a new age singer, crooning alongside the great Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan saab.‘Blasphemy’, I would think!
The Ustad's riyaaz included singing in a secluded area until his voice and the echo sounded the same...
Raga Gurjari Todi by Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan Saab
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Let it not be understood that I have something against A.R. Rehman’s music.
A beautiful piece that starts off with a Raga Des and moves onto a Mishra Piloo…
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I don’t know whether it is a dilution in the pride in our own institutional recognition or a lack of cultural enrichment that makes us behave the way we do…
2 comments:
Nice insight into the career of an artiste! I just loved the choice of the Raga Jaijaiwanti of Pt. Joshi.
I agree that a lot of A.R. Rehman's music isn't really great. But you would have to agree that he creates music for the layman who does not understand or appreciate Indian Classical music.
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