There have been several classical things which died a slow death even though they had the status of mother figure. Sanskrit and latin are two languages from asia and Europe and both at one time commanded this mother status have lost in the oblivion. Here is an interesting excerpt from one of the articles.
Exactly how and when Sanskrit became a "dead" language isn't clearly understood, but the process was similar to that of Latin, as Pollock (2001) describes it:[11]
"Both died slowly, and earliest as a vehicle of literary expression, while much longer retaining significance for learned discourse with its universalist claims. Both were subject to periodic renewals or forced rebirths, sometimes in connection with a politics of translocal aspiration? At the same time? both came to be ever more exclusively associated with narrow forms of religion and priestcraft, despite centuries of a secular aesthetic."
To find out the answer can we save classical music, it seems we need to find out why it is going down.
I feel it lost its patronage at various levels.
MD's in the past have used ragas in the songs. The Music directors today are not trying it and instead find it easy to copy from where ever they can.
Bhakti sangeet has been a big source where you can see classical music being used and patronized. Bhakti sangeet is full of filmi tunes. You can hum filmi tune and remember God. This has become very popular in Jagratas.
The things which are easy, simple and addicting are patronized by the masses. Cricket and Golf are two games with immense popularity. There are cricket channels, Golf channel and so on, popularizing these sports even more.
Most good singers do patronize classical music but may not get many chances to display their talent. Can we have a classical music channel where you can hear classical music from all our masters and also from our new popular singers who have learned classical music and want it to succeed. Door darshan has been playing classical music but am not sure of its success. MTV is playing loud music all day long. Can we have a channel which with right kind of presentation and programs can help save this golden heritage of ours.
Thanks ID saab for this wonderful thread and posts.
Edited by Sur_Sangam - 17 years ago
