Originally posted by madhavir108
Excellent thread.
Abhi, great reply and to a certain extent I agree with you.
I must say I am one of those teens who has grown up not really relishing classical music (Till really late), I used to learn classical dance, and I never really liked or understood the songs I was dancing too..
Later, after learning dance, I started Carnatic music and believe me, as a 13 year old, I found it awfully boring.. when I had to practise, I used to crib SO much because I never really enjoyed it.. and this continued for most of my teenage years till I was about 17.
When I was 17, I attended a music schools Concert and at the end, they had this jugalbandhi which was performend by some local artists, it was a hindustani vs Carnatic kinda thingie, they were praising Lord Ram, and OH MY GOD.. I had goosebumtps at the end of it.. the gamakams vs the alaaps, the sur vs the taal, it was just brilliant.. Then I went back home, found my old music tapes and listened to them again, this time it made a difference, but still, I didnt enjoy Carnatic music as much as I enjoyed Hindustani, because I found Hindustani classical to be more elegant.
Morning Raga changed that. Hearing Thaye Yashoda (it was a fusion number with a different beat n all tat..but it was very catchy..), I was amazed at that song and this time, I went back to listening to M S Amma's and SPB's Kirtanas and since then I have changed my attitude towards both Carnatic and Hindustani classical because they aren't meant for ur ears.. or ur eyes.. they are meant for ur soul..
Why did I narrate a boring story from my life, its because movies like Morning Raga open eyes to that music form which we don't know off.. the music might not work, but the fact is, its an attempt.. a sincere attempt.. Musicians should incorporate atleast one classical - semi classical songs in their movies today to spread the word..
Abhi, the fact you say westernization is to blame, i totally dont agree. As I mentioned in an older thread, that lets not blame the influence of western culture for that! Its just a feeling of being cool.. and anything that is old, is considered not cool.. its like that with anything.. u r studyin to become a scientist..u shuld know.. new technologies everyday replace older ones, and with this 'growth', there has to be an effect somewhere.. Indian culture is definitely changing, but then what is essentially 'Indian' ?! We've always been attacked by foriegners and the beauty of Indian culture or customs is that we have always integrated their cultures with ours.. making it like a beautiful mixx.. so its fine to adapt to western modes..
Classical music takes a hit because its often associated with being boring.. most teens today dont realise taht so many songs they listen to and like are classical based .. Kajra Re was a classic example.. when Nihira added those swar into her version of Kajra Re, I was like this sensation has a classical touch to it.. same for a lot of good soongs like Jiya Dhadak Dhadak, Satrangi Re, Lukkha Chuppi etc etc.. so its not tat people dont appreciate classical music..they do..but when its in a bollywood glitz they dont realise it..
answering finally to what the poll says, no visual appeal doesn't matter..classical songs are not meant for us,they are meant to please the lord, they are sung for Him.. and such songs dont need eyes or ears, they need a seeking soul to relish it !!
sorry for the ridiculously long post !
👏👏👏 awsome and well stated!!!! I'm always impressed with your posts. Very fair and interesting!
I grew up learning classical(western classical), bharat natyam, and playing the piano. I had the same experience as you.......