How to save classical music

Identity and Synergy - Classical Music and Film Song

V S Gopalakrishnan (A retired IAS learning vocals in Hindustani classical)

Bandish or Film Song: Not mentioning the Raga is like presenting a person without any name!

When I turn on the FM radio, there is a general confusion I face. I have to select a suitable channel and the turning tuner- knob cannot easily find a proper place. Two channels are heard at one time. When I find my channel I find a noisy advertisement indefinitely on. I wait patiently and the film song comes forth. All I hear is the name of the singer like Himesh or Kailas or Ganja or something. This is most unsatisfactory.

Some decades ago, I remember, correctly or wrongly, that when I tuned in to Radio Ceylon, the announcer 'Mr.Mayilvaahanan or his Hindi counterpart 'would give the name of the song, the name of the film, the singer, the lyricist and music director before the film song was played. That was a treasure trove. It is indeed correct to do it. As for a painting, you just want to know the name of the painter and the title of the painting, and the names of the canvas maker, the framer, transporter etc are irrelevant. A film song is not like that. Some lyricists have been greater than singers. Some music directors were more popular than the heroes. So when a film song is played, it is only meet that the radio announcer makes a quick reference to the name of the song, the film, the singer, the lyricist and music director. All of them are more or less equally important, as important as the irritating advertisements. I say that you must hereafter also indicate the name of the raga which is the genitor of the film song and this has never been done! It is like people dropping their surnames! Can we omit all our surnames from passports or official records?

Youth loves film songs. Boys and girls blare and bleat in bathrooms. They dream of participating in that competition or this, whatever the voice or training! Antaakshari, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Indian Idol, all will do. As Dr.Ashok Ranade said, giving a quote, 'every person is a great singer in his mind'. However, he adds, all birds cannot sing. But you have thousands and thousands rushing for audition at each centre! The popularity of film songs is at a peak today, irrespective of the quality of music.

In stark contrast, classical music is getting less patronage and popularity. The very well trained singers and upcoming/promising artists do not get enough chances and face bleak prospects and low incomes. They are losing hope. Classical music can never die but this tribe of singers is dwindling and dying. Some of them even pay to secure a concert opportunity to sustain their name! How sad! Why is this happening? This is because music has turned into fast food. Life is busy and tension-ridden and there is not enough time to enjoy a leisurely classical concert. We are constantly rushing and so the three minute quickie film music fits us to a T. I do not object to this too much as we have to accept reality. At least the oldies have the time to enjoy leisurely classical concerts.

However, there is this simple trick to popularize the ragas in the young minds, and when they grow they would realize the beauty and importance of what is classical. The media should invariably indicate the raga source for a film song.

A few examples are given here: 'Jhanak jhanak payal baje' and 'Radhike tu ne bansuri chhurayi' are based on raga Adana. The songs 'Ajare main tho' and 'Dhil dhadak dhadak ke kehra hai' are based on raga Bageshri. Song 'Mohe bhool gaye sawariyaan' is in Bhairav, and 'Babool mora naihar chhooto hi jaaye' is in Bhairavi. 'Nainom me badra chhaye' and 'Kuch dil ne kaha' are in Bhimpalaasi. Hundreds and hundreds of examples can be given thus. By constant mention and repetition in radio and TV, the young minds would easily begin to relate a film song melody to a raga. That is our goal.

The same thing should go for the CD jackets and the cassette covers. They should have in print all the equally deserving mentionable like the name of the film, singer, lyricist, music director and most importantly the raga. This alone can create a proper synergy between what is filmi and what is classical. They depend on each other for self-propagation. It is unfortunate that classical musicians often have contempt for film music. And similarly film music directors try to hide the ragas under the bushel. All these attitudes have to change.

It is true that modern film music is veering towards noisy beats and rhythms and rely less on melodies, in order that the dancing youth can drop dead on the dancing floor in bars and restaurants. Fashion is cyclical and the reign of melodies can return. So wherever possible let us begin to educate the youth about raga names for various film song melodies. Do you want to wait for the Government to issue an Ordinance such as 'Distribution of cassettes/CDs is prohibited unless the ragas used for the film songs are printed'!

The article is an eye-opener.Classical music finds no place on TV channels in this mad race for trps and money through ads.

every one reading this article many thanks.

Great article and thread. I would note that despite the seeming downfall of classical music, I think that it is alive and kicking in so many of the contestants in these shows such as Hemachandra, Nihira, Aishwarya, Answesha, Aneek, Amanat, Naina, Pratibha, and others whose names currently escape me. Plus we have Sonu Nigaam with his classically mild album and the incredible Shankar Mahadevan who is a classical singer himself. I also think that these reality shows help promote songs like Mere Dholna, otherwise not heard. I also note that while Bollywood numbers are not classical, we thankfully have South India to add a little spice and class to music. Also I would note that regionally, Indians still value classical music. Most of the Bengalis, Marathis and South Indians I know who are musicians, start with a classical base and rigourous training. I think that the Atif type signers will come and go but classically trained singers like Sonu, Shreya and Sunidhi will last.

oh, thnx for shariin,

ohh, thnx for shairng.

Originally posted by: mdroy

Great article and thread. I would note that despite the seeming downfall of classical music, I think that it is alive and kicking in so many of the contestants in these shows such as Hemachandra, Nihira, Aishwarya, Answesha, Aneek, Amanat, Naina, Pratibha, and others whose names currently escape me. Plus we have Sonu Nigaam with his classically mild album and the incredible Shankar Mahadevan who is a classical singer himself. I also think that these reality shows help promote songs like Mere Dholna, otherwise not heard. I also note that while Bollywood numbers are not classical, we thankfully have South India to add a little spice and class to music. Also I would note that regionally, Indians still value classical music. Most of the Bengalis, Marathis and South Indians I know who are musicians, start with a classical base and rigourous training. I think that the Atif type signers will come and go but classically trained singers like Sonu, Shreya and Sunidhi will last.

I think Indraji's point that the Corporate Maharajah's should sponser some classical programmes is good.

Nowadays there are several singing programmes so some of these could be dedicated more for classicals, gazals etc. I think the public would want that too.