Plain Speak on the Music Season - Kumkumam Interview
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For those who do not read Tamizh:
Singer Charulatha Mani discusses the state of the yearly phenomenon known as the Madras Music Season. In the Kungumam interview, Charulatha pulls no punches, and lambasts the degeneration of Carnatic Music concert performance from a celebration of glorious tradition and virtuosity, into a free-for-all of amateurism and mediocrity. The artiste holds forth on how sabhas have largely failed in their duty towards professional artistes and listeners, turning a blind eye to the inability of many well-connected amateur performers to adhere to even basic standards of concert performance such as singing in pitch or basic vocal technique. She also speaks about the motivation behind her Isai Payanam concerts and her efforts in reaching out to audiences, to dispel the notion of Carnatic music as an arcane art form patronised by a restricted section of society.
It calls for a dogged determination and guts to say all these views very openly and boldly...Kudos Charu ji. Let us see if this changes the situation even a bit...
ReplyDeleteஉண்à®®ையின் வெளிப்படல். நியாயமான வாதங்கள். பெà®°ுà®®ைப்படுà®®் நமது பாà®°à®®்பரிய இசையின் தரத்துக்கு சபாக்கள் தங்கள் தரத்தையுà®®், அணுகுà®®ுà®±ையுà®®் உயர்திக்கொள்வாà®°்கள் என்à®±ு நம்புவோà®®ாக! ----ganesh from abudhabi
ReplyDeleteThat was a good interview... Wonderful.. Am recollecting the similar statement you made in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan too.. It requires courage to speak out like this.. and you have it.. Congrats for that bold statement.
ReplyDeleteRead with interest your views. I am glad that some one like you has aired these views. I was feeling the absence of Subbudu ! You have begun. Well done.
ReplyDeleteR. Thiagarajan
1,First Cross street,
Gill Nagar,
Chennai - 600 094.
Web Page: thiagram.blogspot.com
Madam
ReplyDeleteA voice from the music circle. Rightly said at a right time. If an ordinary rasika says, it may not be effective. As you said, a music marketing is going on and music is being commercialised. Not only Sabhas to blamed.. the Rasikas, few Musicians and middleman also. Many of us know, how you are all dedicated
and how much sacrifice you gone through. It is a not easy one to deliver a good music concert or good dance and bringing the facts/details to us. You are one to deliver us what we want and we have full satisfaction when we come out of your concert/ your Audios etc.
Good luck and best wishes.
Radhakrishnan
Dear Charulathamani,
ReplyDeleteHood off with respect Mam! For standing up & Voicing!
During December Musical monsoon, Sabhas do sprung up like mushrooms, with no control over what feeds them. Some form of regulatory body to do the vetting and monitoring would be good. It is a real shame that talented artists have to have influence in some “sabhas” circle, to earn a place. Regarding burnt out vocalist, sound like a “B flat” concert! Some time a difficult or new composition with lack of practice can result in the same, making it a bad experience for all.
On a serious note, could it be that they rely on seasonal income to fund their lifestyle and take in as much booking as they can? Again like in the west, there should be a body to take care of the struggling artists, and even out their bookings through out the year. It could be in the form of challenging projects to benefit the growth of carnatic music and sabhas revenue could target this as you pointed out.
Wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous New-year, with lots of exciting new projects!
PS: New word - Malinapaduthum = Maasupaduthum / Kazangapaduthum?
Dear Charulathamani,
ReplyDeleteHood off with respect Mam! For standing up & Voicing!
During December Musical monsoon, Sabhas do sprung up like mushrooms, with no control over what feeds them. Some form of regulatory body to do the vetting and monitoring would be good. It is a real shame that talented artists have to have influence in some “sabhas” circle, to earn a place. Regarding burnt out vocalist, sound like a “B flat” concert! Some time a difficult or new composition with lack of practice can result in the same, making it a bad experience for all.
On a serious note, could it be that they rely on seasonal income to fund their lifestyle and take in as much booking as they can? Again like in the west, there should be a body to take care of the struggling artists, and even out their bookings through out the year. It could be in the form of challenging projects to benefit the growth of carnatic music and sabhas revenue could target this as you pointed out.
Wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous New-year, with lots of exciting new projects!
PS: New word - Malinapaduthum = Maasupaduthum / Kazangapaduthum?
Hello CLM,
ReplyDeleteYou have been outspoken and expressed boldly the views of the silent
majority. 'Hats Off' to you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you
Rgds
N.Kumarasamy
Rasika,
Singapore
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am from Chennai and am a fan of your voice. I also want to learn Music from you directly. I'm a 37 year old IT Professional. Do you teach music to adults of my age and if yes, please let me know the details.
Thanks-Murali Krishnan M S
Hi,
ReplyDeleteRead the interview of yours - you were very straight, brutal and ascertive in your thoughts on sabhas and modes of choices etc..
Best wishes and appreciate your bold approach.
Regards
SG