Carnatic Music - A Westerner's Perspective

Miscellaneous topics on Carnatic music
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vgovindan
Posts: 1865
Joined: 07 Nov 2010, 20:01

Carnatic Music - A Westerner's Perspective

Post by vgovindan »

I found this 1999 article by a westerner - Todd M. McComb. How far the scenario has changed for better or worse, is a matter of opinion. Maybe this has already been reproduced and discussed.

http://www.medieval.org/music/world/carnatic/cmc.html

shankarank
Posts: 4043
Joined: 15 Jun 2009, 07:16

Re: Carnatic Music - A Westerner's Perspective

Post by shankarank »

Foreward by Smt. Rukimini Devi on SrimAn "Tiger" Varadachariar.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rvzkjxwrfujl5 ... 5.pdf?dl=0
When "Tiger" first came to see Dr. G.S. Arundale a dedicated servant of India and at that time President of the Theosophical Society I did not expect such a tremendous reaction to "Tiger" Varadachari(ar)'s music from him who had until then not yet learnt to appreciate Indian music , though he was highly musical and was a good pianist. In those days very few Westerners were able to appreciate Indian music. When Dr. Arundale met and heard "Tiger" Varadachari(ar), he shed tears and the first remark that he made was "You have opened for me the doors to India's soul!" I can never forget this occasion. This is the impression he made even on those who had not yet learned to appreciate India's music.
The thing is certain musicians have appeal by their sheer hard work. Also the person at the other end must turn a seeker of something - which Dr Arundale seems to have been. This is a land of seekers at it's core. Even as it is outwardly chaotic and incorrigible.
Last edited by shankarank on 25 May 2020, 22:37, edited 2 times in total.

RSR
Posts: 3427
Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

Re: Carnatic Music - A Westerner's Perspective

Post by RSR »

@1
sites.google.com/site/4carnaticmusic
https://sites.google.com/site/4carnatic ... -westerner
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" One can find one or the other in many places, whether a simple and beautiful song, or an impressive intellectual construction based on a nonsense phrase or no words at all. Carnatic music accommodates both of these ideals, and does so to magnificent effect. A song can be performed simply and in all humility, or with the grandest elaboration retaining the core of both meaning and melody.

Of course the meaning of the lyrics revolves around acts of religious devotion. One can rightly ask both concerning the relevance of devotion in our modern age of technology and selfishness, as well as the ability of a Westerner to apprehend and appreciate it. "

shankarank
Posts: 4043
Joined: 15 Jun 2009, 07:16

Re: Carnatic Music - A Westerner's Perspective

Post by shankarank »

Even the musicians have to seek the svarasthAnA (position of the svara)!

https://youtu.be/fX58a0MM6-k?t=2081

My only addition to the whole thing is that , musicians in addition to seeking the svarasthAnA on the Sruti pramaNa (pitch cognition), must also seek the SabdasthAna (position of syllable) on kalapramaNa (time cognition) and make it appear as though they sought something ;) :D !

What to do, his mentor SSI downplayed laya. It takes a maduraikkAran courage to point this out even in these days! MylaporekkArAs will not open their mouth about their beloved "Mama"!

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