Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Taking music to the masses
IN A bid to popularise Carnatic music further among the masses, the noted music director, M.G. Radhakrishnan, is working on a novel project which would help them gain a broad idea about its real depth and divinity.
Radhakrishnan is planning to bring out a series of Carnatic albums which would make the task of learning music easy for the uninitiated listener. He is planning to adopt a strictly bohemian approach. The thrust of the endeavour will be on popularising the Malayalam compositions of the late Irayimman Thampi, Kuttikunji Thankachi and such others which the Carnatic vocalists are generally reluctant to present during concerts. Only the late Cherthala Gopalan Nair had made such an attempt to popularise Malayalam songs, he says.
A stickler for classicism, he does not want to dilute Carnatic music. Radhakrishnan plans to present the compositions staying within the tenets of Carnatic music in an unambiguous manner. "This series is not meant for those who intend to make music a profession but for those who could not nurture their talent due to other preoccupations.
There will be a slight deviation from the traditional school which is time consuming and cumbersome. Yet, it would cater to the needs of those who have the spark of music in them,'' he says.
``The market is already flooded with Carnatic albums and the music buffs are familiar with certain ragas like Mohanam, Hamsadwani, Kalyani, Kaanada and Sankarabharanam. But the compositions that they listen to are either in Kannada, Telugu or Tamil. Save the delight of enjoying the music, they do not comprehend the real meaning or tenor of the compositions. There is a huge treasure of Malayalam songs that have not got its due importance. This series would serve the purpose.'' .
Much before K.J. Jesudas earned fame as a Carnatic vocalist, Radhakrishnan had established himself as one. On hearing one of his concerts, the late G.N. Balasubramaniam summoned Radhakrishnan to perfect his skills under his tutelage.
The training Radhakrishnan had undergone under Semmangudi Sreenivasa Iyer and such others during his stint in the Swati Tirunal Music Academy here would be put to good use in composing the Carnatic albums.
About 17 years back, Radhakrishnan had composed two albums on `Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilipattu,' and `The Bible.' These albums, which are yet to be released commercially, are a judicious blend of dramatic narration and music. Almost all talented artistes, including K.S. Chitra, her father, Krishnan Nair, and the late T.R. Sukumaran Nair, had given their voice for the albums. Both the albums are meant for the common man and children. Still no one has come forward to buy the albums, he says.
Such attempts of Radhakrishnan have kicked off a row and there are many who argue that he is trying to attenuate a great tradition.
Radhakrishnan has his own logic to counter his critics. Anyone can religiously impart what he/she has imbibed without a slight deviation.
One has to be creative to make it more appealing for all, he says.
By N.J. Nair
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
|
