Can Classical music make a comeback?

I remember when I was growing up (in the early 80's), there were a number of movies where the music was classically based. Luckily, my Dad was a music lover and therefore I learnt to appreciate such music at a young age.

These days? I haven't heard much of classically based music. Why is that? DO we not think that if the youngsters are exposed to this, they may not grow to appreciate this type of music?

Initially, I believe SRGM was trying to bring classical music to the younger generation...but now?

Is it just the quality of the movies that they make these days; every movie is about a love triangle, and getting wet in the rain. I can see why there would be no room for classically based music.

So who is to blame, the producers, or the people. Do the producers think that they are catering to the audience, or do they just assume that this is what people want?

Originally posted by: ab_srgmp

I remember when I was growing up (in the early
80's), there were a number of movies where the music was
classically based. Luckily, my Dad was a music lover and therefore I
learnt to appreciate such music at a young age.These days? I haven't
heard much of classically based music. Why is that? DO we not think
that if the youngsters are exposed to this, they may not grow to
appreciate this type of music? Initially, I believe SRGM was trying to
bring classical music to the younger generation...but now?Is it just
the quality of the movies that they make these days; every movie is
about a love triangle, and getting wet in the rain. I can see why there
would be no room for classically based music. So who is to blame,
the producers, or the people. Do the producers think that they are
catering to the audience, or do they just assume that this is what
people want?

👏

I feel in those days, there were more stories about aspiring classical singers/dancers, which gave them the scope for such music. Why don't they make movies with such scope. Why only historical? Did you think that the Devdas songs were classically based?

When my son (4.5 years) hears Karunya sing Piya re, or Amey sing Laaga Chunri, he stops what he's doing to listen and watch. He is in awe when anyone does alaaps or taans.

I would hope that this appreciation would carry on even in his teens.

It's funny - music directors today keep going towards formula.. but the most successful MD of today -ARR- has based his work on a classical foundation. Not only are his songs based on classical raagaas, he has brought so many singers (at least in the South) into playback music.

I think the MDs who think formula sells need to see ARR's example and re-think...

I believe there is always a market for good music. The question is can it capture the experiences of today's youth. Classical music (ie any good music) is not static - it evolves along with society too.

Originally posted by: sangeetaa

It's funny - music directors today keep going towards formula.. but the most successful MD of today -ARR- has based his work on a classical foundation. Not only are his songs based on classical raagaas, he has brought so many singers (at least in the South) into playback music.

I think the MDs who think formula sells need to see ARR's example and re-think...

I believe there is always a market for good music. The question is can it capture the experiences of today's youth. Classical music (ie any good music) is not static - it evolves along with society too.

Yes. ARR and Ilayaraja (esp in the early 80s).

O Ilayaraaja ruled!! And I meant to say that ARR brought in *classical* singers into playback... sorry about that.

It seems like our filmi music goes thru these droughts and then someone goes back to the roots of music and revives it...

Originally posted by: adwarakanath

Fantastic post, arunaji! 👏 👏 👏

The thing is, lifestyles have changed today. Sensibilities have changed today. Where will you see a youngster romancing his girl with something like - Paon Chu Lene Do Phoolon Ko Inayat Hogi? Or someone dancing to Laga Chunari Mein Daag? Blame the damned media for westernization. Blame the celebrity world for giving wrong notions of 'cool'.

Who has the patience to sit through half an hour of long drawn Khayal improvisation? I do, you do and a select few hardcore music lovers do. But not the masses. Even folk music is losing favour. Why? Because it's just not cool, man. Sorry state of affairs, actually.

Yes. But I am sure there are young couples in the 'western' world who enjoy a classical concert, operas, riverdance which is not really targetted to the masses. Even Broadway shows. Then why are our youngsters in denial of their heritage? (and mind you not only in the musical aspects)? MTV is a BIG culprit. That's why I say, exposing them to classical thru Bollywood, might make it more 'cool'.

Originally posted by: sangeetaa

O Ilayaraaja ruled!! And I meant to say that ARR brought in *classical* singers into playback... sorry about that.

It seems like our filmi music goes thru these droughts and then someone goes back to the roots of music and revives it...

Yes. I do feel that I still see more of it in tamil/and telugu movies than in Bollywood.

A recent example was in Chandra Mukhi: 'Ra Raa'. I really enjoyed this song.

Originally posted by: adwarakanath

What about the pure classical score of the January release 'Sri Ramadasu' in telugu? Music by MM Kreem. Fantabulous score. Very pure.

Is it only me or do I see better music down south? And again, is it only me or is there a jhalak of IR's school of music in ARR and MM Kreem?

Have not heard it. Will definitely check it out. I also think more of the south-indian audiences (even the masses) appreciate classical music, so MDs have the freedom to create more classical songs in movies.

It is more a part of their everyday culture.