Ideas & Views

With respect to carnatic music, Subbudu is the only name synonymous with carnatic music criticism. Anyone who even talks or comments lightly on the performance will be made fun with his name. He is both a respected and sometimes feared person. In my thinking, his writing as well as very presence in the first row of a concert hindered the free flow of imagination of the performer. I have seen concerts take a different tone altogether when he enters and leaves the hall. One who indeed walked the words 'Pen is mightier than sword' !  I reiterate that good music will always attract audience. The performer grows leaps and bounds by tuning his conscious nous to the subtle nuances and also the ambiance of the concert hall. Its all about packaging a concert and executing it.  Having said that, how does the performer improve? By getting the right feedback.  - By listening to his records himself and see where he can  improve ...

What are the qualities of a Rasika? what are the various aspects of a listener or listening rather? In my earlier posts, I have talked about the qualities of a performer, the carnatic vocalist. Its more relevant and important to discuss the qualities of a listener since the population sitting on the chair is huge while those on the stage are handful. There are plenty of misconstrued ideas and deep rooted opinions (simply reinforced by 3rd party ) floating among the audience which makes listening less fulfilling. Here are some guidelines for a satisfactory,elevating and intellectual listening. I will try to keep the feel good factor preserved! Listen with ears, not eyes - We all know this. I need to be very careful in explaining my point to take you further and beyond.  The carnatic singers and the accompanists somehow seemed to have reached a code of dressing  very suitable for Indian climate! With a lady performer, it's the silk saree, ...

We hear musicians on T.V shows and concert stage say that if not for the audience, musicians and music could not thrive. Really?  How much should the audience matter for the musician? When a person on stage says that an art form does not thrive without the audience, he would not be there if not for the audience, or asks the audience to support the art form or even thank them for being there......he is simply expressing his need to hear the audience cheer. He is enslaved by name and fame. He likes the sound of claps. My focus is mainly on the carnatic concert stage and not the n number of music programs on T.V which are tailored to audience.  Art survives and thrives solely because of the practitioner, not the audience. Think for a minute.  Good music is a magnet. If the musician has all the slices (of music training, voice, and creativity) that I had explained in my earlier post, audience will be attracted. They will stay as long as good music is...

In my previous blog, I had talked about some ingredients of a performing artiste. The most essential and key contributor is LUCK. It is not a quality someone can work on, so I had not elaborated on it. But, to dwell on few things we could indeed affect.......... To be in the right place with the right skills at the right time is called Lady Luck and everyone needs her company. Right place translates to a lot of things. Right set of people at home and also in one's social circle of family friends, relatives and one's own age group of friends. This is a highly influencing circle in one's life and hence makes all the difference. Malcolm Gladwell notes this in his Outliers. Indian society, in general, is very mediocre and not very motivational. From the Billion, we could hand pick outstanding contributors. Why should that be the case? Why can't we all evolve beautifully? Few cents from me (not the entire dollar, you see) -      - One should be very carefu...