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ention Indian classical mu- sic and Gen-Z can barely stifle that yawn. At least that is the general impres- sion. And yet when the maestros play, tickets are sold out and the halls are choc-a-bloc. But when a Ravi Shankar, Am- Jad Ali Khan or Zakir Hussain per- forms, it's an equal music for classi- cal enthusiasts and Gen-Z. Why so? Bickram Ghosh, percussionist explains, "That is because these renowned artists have found a way to understand the next generation. They have brought in a change to connect better. Those classical artists who do not want to change their styles fail to draw in the younger lot." So for a wider acceptance should Indian classical music adapt and evolve? " Well, I feel that Indian classical music has always had an appreciative audience among those who understand it," says maverick maestro AR Rahman. One reason that youngsters con- tinue to be drawn to classical music is the fact that their idols are into it. Says college student Ronojoy Sir- car, "I was never interested in Indi- an classical music till I heard Jim- my Hendrix and Pt Ravi Shankar's performance, where guitars and sitars clashed. After that I got hooked." Engineering student and rock- buff Ashwani Bharadwaj wouldn't mind going for an Indian classical concert. And the young vocalist Dhaval Mudgal, who also happens to be Shubha Mudgal's son, says, "I've not trained in classical music but I'm very open to it. There is a huge audience for Indian classical music and that is why the auditori- ums are packed." For his part sarod player Amaan Ali Khan says, "A good marketing strategy helps. It is very important to make your music a package. When I started I was not well received. But today my shows draw cent percent listeners. One has to strike a balance between music and performance." So what is the thing to do? Says Wasifaddin Dagar, "Good music communicates and connects with the listener Once your audience is comfortable they will come back for more."