How are artists rated !

[isaipriyan0]

Yesterday While talking with a few of my friends here in Pune this topic came up.

How do we rate artists and what parameters do we employ?

Is it based on

1.The amount they demand
2.Crowd they are capable of pulling
3.Knowledge (very difficult and very very subjective)

While we can segregate them like in any art form as

1.main stream (commercial)
and
2.parallel stream ( non - commercial )

I think there are artists who are both.

We also suppose that artists who are crowd pullers demand good money.

Is it possible for us to rate performing artists say like in tennis ! If so how do we do that ? Some one can post an example.

[Nick H]

I rate artists according to how much I enjoy their music and how much they move me. A sabha secretary with expenses to cover might, at least for some concerts, necessarily think differently.

I don't think that we rate them according to knowledge, although we respect their expertise and experience. It is a factor in their performance, but great academics do not necessarily make great performers.

Isn't whether an artist is "commercial" or not dependent on whether they have to earn a living or not? Most do. There are a number of wonderful performers who are able to fill big halls. Selling of the soul is another matter.

[priyaram78]

Wish there are no ratings for carnatic musicians........so that those who are in this field keep singing pure carnatic music alone....and not switch to film music for ratings, name, fame and money.

[arasi]

Well said, Priyaram.
How and why do we need to rate them? Let them keep singing good music for themselves and for their rasikAs. The rest is immaterial (material? and their livelihood).
It's when the music starts focusing more on money and less on music itself that trouble starts--at least for us, the listeners!

[VK RAMAN]

Why in the first instance need rating for an cm artist?

[Nick H]

Good question. They are not hotels or such like: there is no need to "rate" them.

[VK RAMAN]

Perhaps follow the AIR model of rating artists?

[munirao2001]

I am posting a part of my article'Karnatic Music, Tradtion and Enlightenment', relevant to this topic of discussion.
"At all the times-whether earlier two or three generations or the present two generations or in future- the fact will remain same. The fact is only immensely popular artistes, whether they are vocalists or instrumentalists, draw crowds- consisting of all categories of rasikas. With abundant luck/yogam-right place-right time, artiste gains popularity. In general, it's futile to find the right formula for success. It just happens. The reasons are known by analyzing that particular happening, but sadly can not be replicated or applied for and by every body. Only scientific study can give empirical and objective factors for the success and can become effective practicing tools. Success still can not be guaranteed.

Behind every successful/popular artist, there were/are hundreds of artistes of exemplary or equal calibre/vidwat and sadhana/practice to have missed the patronage of rasikas and success, becoming elusive for them.

I strongly feel that if meritocracy - consisting of both Vidwat , art and craft of performing(delivering total satisfaction to the rasikas)- is given prime or the only consideration by all the concerned - Artistes, Organizers, sponsors, opinion makers and rasikas, we can see the change and change for the better. To determine the merit, a selection/ranking committee, consisting of Great Maestro-Vidwan/Vidushi-respectedmusic critic (with both lakshya and lakshana gnanam,) well respected representative of Organizers-dedicated sponsor (individual/Corporate/NRI)-representative(s) from opinion makers (Individual, print and visual media, music recording co's)-Govt bodies (AIR/State or Central/Sangeeth Natak Acadamy)-representative rasikas, both knowledgeable and lay- to be formed, with a tenure of two years. The committee to evolve transparent methods of selection/ranking of both the current performing artistes and potential/up coming artistes. The artistes should apply for consideration, irrespective of their present status. The results of selection/ranking to be made public. The opportunities to be given to the ranked artistes. If the committee can also recommend min.remuneration/fees, it will be better"

[KSJaishankar]

Sir ... with due respect... your assumption is that there IS an objective way to rate artistes. The beauty of the present "system" is that it allows for different tastes to exist - popularity is a measure of the proportion of the population to whom the music appeals. Does not mean that even the most popular artiste is to everyone's tastes, or the least popular artiste has no takers.

Why is there this need to homogenize tastes?

[Nick H]

An other mistake is that committees consist of humans, and not only are humans never perfect, but our imperfections seem to become magnified at a committee table. With respect to all, sometimes the most gifted, most knowledgeable, humans are even more imperfect that others!

[mahavishnu]

and not only are humans never perfect, but our imperfections seem to become magnified at a committee table.

How true!

[munirao2001]

Jaishankar/Nick
Objectivity to avoid the subjectivity is eminently achievable by 1) involving the representatives of all the stake holders in promoting and supporting meritorious Classical Indian Music and 2) with consensus on the judging metrics-open and transparent and audit able. Lack of support to the richly deserving artists and going/remaining, unsung and unrecognized is the bane of performing arts, at any time. If the Classical Indian Music has to reach pan Indian and Global, the most important contributors-Artists need all the support.
I have not suggested totally a new system. Only I have suggested a broad based and inclusive selective body, respected and trusted by the artists and all the other stake holders. Positive attitude and real time actions and contributions, will give result. We, the Rasikas, should become more serious, supportive and demanding.
munirao2001

[Nick H]

I have not suggested totally a new system.

Indeed: AIR has its own rating system, and this covers quite a few artists. There are also many awards, some of them from organisations that we do respect. However, I don't think anybody thinks, "Oh! AIR 'A' Grade! Must hear this person!" and apart from SK, people don't pay attention to awards.

I appreciate the intention to bring the lesser-known but unrecognised artists to the fore: in practice, I don't think it will work.

[munirao2001]

Nick.H
The event organizers do attach importance to the AIR grade for not considering the artist. Presently only the AIR rating system is recognized. Artists are not happy with the process and gradation. Alternative body, respected and trusted will bring remedy to Plan and Execution by all the concerned.
Rasikas are -not informed or ill informed or well informed. Majority, unwilling to get informed and form their own choice(s), take easy and escapist route and own the decision of the majority, as their own. If the artist is high profile, visible and able to attract full house. In absence of these three factors, meritorious artists are ignored and live in ignominy. Such Rasikas become affectionate listeners. Artists factually get max satisfaction from such well informed and affectionate listening.
I had attended two concerts of Vid.Kadri Gopalakrishna&group and Vidu.Jyotsna Srikanth and Pandit Praveen Godkindi at Vani Kala Kendra's Sri Rama Navami concerts series at BSV Nagar, Bengaluru. Only objective of the performers was exciting and generating thunderous applause. 'Soukhyam' was totally missing. What a wasteful effort of these eminent and exceptionally talented performers. If Rasikas at those concerts did not support, performers would have turned serious, inwardly and given the chaste music. This is only to highlight the malady affecting the Classical Indian Music, in general and Carnatic Music in particular. Don't we want and deserve Change? Simply ACT, NOW
munirao2001