What is Good Style?

[munirao2001]

Nedanoori Sir had opined in his discussions with Vidushi and Editor of Samudhra magazine, Smt.Radha Bhaskar ‘Good Style’ as “amalgamation of tradition, talent and taste”. Also ‘manodharma’ sangitam as learnt from Guru.
Style is only related to and confines only within the context and scope of means and ways of expression, communication and the manner of delivery consciously given unique identity by the performer or by the opinion maker(s). Naturally a ‘good style’ is a style identity and practice giving satisfaction to the rasikas, including other opinion makers-critic, popular and powerful performer(s), teacher(s) and equally popular and powerful event manager(s).
Tradition is body and works of excellence. One’s raw’taste’ inclination, interest and intention motivate to select and seek a guru a direct or indirect-to acquire the knowledge. Refined ’taste’, realized values and cultivated through practice and passion, spurs the creativity-monodharma. Inherent and trained ability ‘talent’ gives a definite structure of a new method, systems, and set of ideas, expression, communication and delivery with the intention of seeking identity, appreciation and endorsement. The identity is recognized as ‘Bani’- the method, system, structure, practice and ‘style’-the manner.
Manodharma-the creativity with high emotional content- is both a result of conditioned thought(s)-training, practice, performance by guru and one’s own a new thought(s), perception, ideas, and clarity in expression, communication and repeat ability – a result of modification of the original thought or original thought. Both built on edifice, acquire structure, shape and color, its possession resulting in satisfaction. Guru, by teaching high value knowledge, equips the student with tools, is a motivator for creatively recreating with high values of the original or for acquiring potent power for totally new thought(s), ideas and delivery. Manodharma is truly the emotional content and delivery of a performer only.
We should Keep the mind animated and receptive but, do not accept, endorse without research, conclude, communicate, seek others acceptance by the declaration of ‘said it all’ in quick time borne out of respect, reverence and at worst, idolatry.
Munirao2001

[varsha]

Here was a singer with great style . She took our nation by storm around 1972 , coming from a newly liberated country .
Yet she sang this song with a classical intensity , unmatched by bigger stars

https://archive.org/details/BolerePapiharaRunaLaila

A LP recording which took me twenty years to locate and was finally found in a bylane in kolkatta.
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Style, in its finest sense, is the last acquirement of the educated mind; it is also the most useful. It pervades the whole being. The administrator with a sense for style hates waste; the engineer with a sense for style economises his material; the artisan with a sense for style prefers good work. Style is the ultimate morality of mind.

Alfred North Whitehead, The Aims of Education and Other Essays, 1929

[Rsachi]

Varsha, as usual you come up with an exquisite one!

I think the word 'style' has great relevance in the context of music, perhaps the one endeavour of man closest to his soul.
So I want to give you my definition of style:
Style gives soul to substance.

[Rsachi]

I think:
In CM, Style has five E's.
I give you some choices...

Economy (or Eschewing excess)
Enthusiasm (or Energy)
Elegance (or Exquisiteness)
Evocativeness (or Emotive content)
Excellence (or Everlasting impact)

To my mind, the example that comes most readily is the one and only Madurai Mani Iyer.

[kvchellappa]

etherealness? (in the sense, not of this world; you can add MS in short, perhaps)

[Rsachi]

Good one!

[munirao2001]

"Style is the ultimate morality of mind." Excellence- is the ultimate morality of mind -consisting of Content and Intent - as beautifully communicated by Chitraveena Ravi Kiran. Style is Delivery (D of C.I.D. of CRK), fine art of presentation.

munirao2001

[kvchellappa]

I have no grounding in music, but still feel like adding what I feel. Style is superimposition of one's personality on the patantharam. We feel it as we hear the music. When we are moved by the music (Ms MS, DKP, MLV, Vedavalli, MMI, ..), we see that the person has become indistinguishable from the mood of the music, we see a oneness, a state of bliss like that of a person who has had a vision, atmanubhava, that is why we use expressions like nadopasana, nadabrahma,..It goes beyond technical correctness and finesse, which a lay listener will not know, but still feels a sublime experience.

[munirao2001]

kvchellappa
Style is not super imposition of ones personality on patantharam. Performer innovates a fresh manner of delivery or presentation. With acceptance and gaining popularity for this manner, establishing his style an unique identity. Certainly and unfortunately taking liberty with the patantharam. Unquestioned, stylists get away, continue and influence others to follow and try.

Great Maestros, with good patantharam strength, qualities, respect for the values of the original composer, add distinct and unique sangati ornamentation and other improvisations of great value, establish a 'Bani' identified with his name or his gurukulam of music e.g. Tiger, Ariyakkudi, Sambasiva Iyyer, Musiri, GNB, MVI, Semmengudi, Pinakapani, BMK, Seshanna, Balachandar, Papa Venkatramaiyer, Parur Sundram Iyyer, Dwaram, Lalgudi, Palghat Mani Iyyer, Palani Subhramanya Pillai, Vinayaka Ram, Mahalingam . Such methods and systems in practice in a region by many gets identity with the regional name e.g.Tanjore, Ramnad, Karaikudi, Mysore, Dharwad, Rayalaseema and Seemandhra. While it is undeniable fact that Bani also deviates from the patantharam, the changes are impersonal and motive is to enrich the manodharma aspects.

Yes, super imposition of ones personality on patantharam do take place either affecting the delivery or aesthetics of classical music e.g. Great Maestros Mahalingam, MDR, MVI, BMK, Kunnakkudi, L.Subhramanyam.

munirao2001

[kvchellappa]

Thank you.