AZ India

F E E L A T H O M E www.azindiatimes.com PAGE - 24 Apr 2019 1-844-AZINDIA By Willy Justin willy.justin@ipassio.com Classical Revival: A Tale of Indian Music in the 21st Century In all cultures, classical music has a reputation for being stuffy or too constrained, unlike the constantly evolving cycle of popular music. North and South Indian Classical music, in particular, have a rich history spanning centuries; no superfi- cial endeavor. Its reputation for drawing aesthetes can’t be helped. Long recitals, solos that need to be witnessed to be felt, and the underlying knowledge that aids the understanding of a piece have spread more slowly than the Indian diaspora. But does this mean younger generations have no interest? I would argue they do, it just looks a little different than we’re used to. Gateway Music Maybe I mean fusion music, you’re thinking; everyone enjoys fusion music. And it’s true, Indian fusion artists have been blurring the lines between classical and popular genres for the better part of a century, from the likes of Ali Akbar Khan in the 1950s to today’s Zakir Hussain or Unmesh Banerjee . But don't forget that fusion artists are typically classical exponents themselves, opening a path- way to the pure classical appreciation that’s been steadily building in the US for years. Zakir’s concerts are selling out and swaying audiences in the US, sitarist Anoush- ka Shankar has racked up five Grammy nominations, and in the last ten years alone, several major organizations have opened up in the USA to promote con- certs and develop interest in Indian Classical Music, like the Chhandayan Foundation in New York and the Sangeetshri School in Arizona. Shifting Priorities Fusion may have helped classi- cal tradition evade the moniker of old man’s music but it is still deeply cultural, and the tradi- tion of learning is often family- or mentor-oriented. Indian parents raising children in America may see a rebellion of cultural iden- tity. However, it’s been argued by Indiaspora.org that commitment reappears, and cultural passions are embraced among Indians growing up abroad. The resurgence of artistic endeavors isn’t a surprise. Millennials across the globe have a reputation for putting happiness and quality of life ahead of professional goals, and generation Z seems to be on track with similar priorities according to a study done by dating app Tinder. For gen Z Indians in particular, one study by DNA India found that developing a skill set matters more than earning money and they tend to value experiences over possessions. A spike in music festival at- tendance seems to back this theory up, and even the way music festivals are held is changing—turning into immersive, engaging experiences for music lovers. Ashvini Modak , a senior disciple of Padmabhushan Dr. Prabha Atre says, “ The eagerness with which young students wait for a class is pure joy to wit- ness ”. Digital Revolution By far the most important player in this tale is technology. Recordings brought us a long way but engaging with music through technology is going to carry us into the future. Music Professor Samidha Vedabala from Sikkim Central Uni- versity published his research on the topic, stating that virtual music lessons, the online availability of musicians, and the digitization of musical instruments have created change within Indian Classical tradition, bringing to the masses what was once accessed only by proximity. There’s never been more opportunities for hobby-hungry young adults to dis- cover a passion for a classical instrument. This discovery is made easier by giants like YouTube and Instagram, which are changing the musical landscape perma- nently. Online learning institutions like ipassio bring gurus to music students all over the world, keeping the long tradition of personalized lessons in music alive. Video chatting, streaming, and instant-upload bring a constant evolvement to classical music that simply wasn’t there before. Maybe it doesn’t look the same for this generation, but their passion, drive, and love of classical music are all still there - just a click away. Willy Justin is in charge of marketing ipassio, an online 1 on 1 live hobby learn- ing video platform, where over 120 senior teachers take Skype lessons on In- dian classical music, Sitar, Tabla, Guitar, Piano, and many other instruments The Sound of Music ' Articles on Indian Classical Music in AZIndiatimes were evi- dent because of their glaring absence till Willy Justin decided to fill up the void by sending to this monthly journal stories and write-ups related to Indian Classical Music. So, here comes our first installment - an illuminating and educative article to up- grade your knowledge in music. '