MUSIC ACADEMY-OPEN HOUSE

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 06 Dec 2014, 14:27

munirao2001 wrote:
This thread is our Open House to discuss and arrive at the consensus and raise it in MA's OPEN HOUSE on 1st, Jan,2015. I can not reject, but I may give my views only. Together, with seriousness let us arrive at the Questions/Suggestions/Ideas with consensus, in quick time.

munirao2001

Munirao
I have heard thru some one as to how the MA open house is conducted , I have not participated directly either being in the audience or by directly asking question. Once I did years ago when NGS conducted , MA is only hearsay information.

I am told in MA open house they encourage audience to ask one or two questions , so as such you are allowed to ask those questions , then the baton is passed to another in the audience to ask their question. There are questions that you have put and even few others inclusive of me who have appended . I suggest you cherry pick two and possibly pass a print out of all questions to the MA organizers and leave it to them for answering more than the two that you ask . If there are other rasikas who attend apart from you ,they can take their best two and if they get turn they will ask .

Bottomline ,Go with your priority and ask two and perhaps pass the rest as a print out. Take rest with your consensus to seriousness route- ippa thaan u spent time for tambura welfare fund , romba enthusiasm marupadiyum vendAm Sir , :-! .

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 06 Dec 2014, 14:52

Bottomline ,Go with your priority and ask two and perhaps pass the rest as a print out. Take rest with your consensus to seriousness route- ippa thaan u spent time for tambura welfare fund , romba enthusiasm marupadiyum vendAm Sir , :-! .

I second this. Please take it easy and if possible hand over a print out of the suggestions. But I can't even imagine MA acting on the suggestions

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 06 Dec 2014, 19:48

sureshvv,rajeshnat,rajumds
I am aware that MA may not permit more than two questions. As rightly suggested by you, we should select TOP 1 and 2, actionable ideas/suggestions in the long term interest of growth and development of CM. I had in my mind to send all the ideas/suggestions, excluding TOP 1 and 2 by email to Sri Pappu Venugopal Rao and MA. You will all agree that in the interest of CM reaching critical mass appreciation, we should utilize every opportunity. With forunites in Chennai, one of them can represent us and raise the select question/idea/suggestion and report. The good end results will make us all happy forgetting the stress and strain, if it causes.
RSachi Sir
Pl put all the ideas and suggestions for opinion poll and let us arrive at TOP 1 and 2.

munirao2001

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Dec 2014, 21:09

Munirao,
Your zeal in bringing about results for CM's well being and its growth is well appreciated by many. However, you should know by now that Rasikas.org members are in general not that much action-minded. Otherwise, all the 'foreign'ites and other forumites would have done something about being called and referred to as 'forunites' all the time--not that we should mind typos here and there, but being consistently called that, so many times over.

None of us carried out the thought of writing to you

Just a trivial thing, but when the word is used countless times, we had to take the action of letting you know. None of us did. Shame on us. I don't know about others, but I hesitated to send you mail about it because I haven't had more than a namastE moment with you, and wasn't sure how you would take it.

Now, I have taken action and I know I won't be appreciated for it, the same way you perhaps feel, about your more serious efforts...

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 08 Dec 2014, 05:02

I have been attending the Open-house for several years now.
it's just a formality of the Academy.

msakella · Post by **msakella** » 08 Dec 2014, 06:38

Yes, everything ritualistic. amsharma

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 08 Dec 2014, 12:42

arasi
I am fully aware of the need of the members in general when they invest their valuable time in this web site. I am also equally aware that only very few rasikas of ICM, CM in particular are activists with commitment and dedication. But owing to this abysmally small percentage of rasikas taking up willingly responsibility and giving resources, we have witnessed the good progress. I see this is the great opportune times for the CM to achieve higher growth and development, Globally. I am also of the firm opinion and judgment, greater professionalism is required to achieve the success. Success happens not only with individual transformation but, collective transformation. Collective transformation happens only with individual transformation. Efforts of few transformed individuals inspire and collective transformation in progress, begins the long journey with confidence. Fellow travelers joining, engaging, the journey becoming a pleasant experience and also on reaching the destination, energetically and excitedly take up the tasks with the richness of experience and sense of fulfillment.

msakella Sir,
Both of us have experienced the progress of MA and its achievements. Works are never complete but in progress. When given an opportunity, express and communicate with seriousness and judgment with the progress in mind. The results may be delayed, but can not be denied. With the leadership of Sri Pappu Venugopal Rao, we have already seen the changes for the betterment. A good idea/suggestion with due consideration for the MA to work and achieve with its own limitations, still will result in progress. With the leader MA setting up example, others will follow. Individual disappointments should not blur the vision of greater happiness of all the stake holders.

munirao2001

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 08 Dec 2014, 23:27

'forunites' - arasi mentioned this with particular reference to your repeated use of this so called not found in dictionary word. Why?

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 09 Dec 2014, 11:11

vkraman and arasi

I strongly believe that in conversational style of communication, the word(s) if clearly expresses the thought and its message/information, it serves the purpose even if it does not meet the grammar. This word was deliberately chosen and used as it conveys my thought and desire of working together and the need to come together. Whenever I write articles for publication, it will conform to the grammar, rarely taking liberty with syntax to serve the purpose. It is good both of you to have discussed with me and given me opportunity to clarify.

munirao2001

ganesh_mourthy · Post by **ganesh_mourthy** » 09 Dec 2014, 11:59

Munirao Ji

I like it indeed.

For"unites". Forunites.

In fact, none of the dictionaries have the word " forumite" , the word our Forums are rife with.
I see forums and fora both for plural. But nowhere the "forumite"

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 09 Dec 2014, 12:02

Munirao,
Please understand that I did not question your grammar or syntax at all. Even outside of your articles for publication (here on Rasikas.org for instance), your writing cannot be questioned! In fact, it doesn't come anywhere near conversational english! It's mostly of a scholastic style.

It was just that one word, which VKR referred to as something which one cannot find in a dictionary. The first time you wrote 'forunite', I assumed it was a typo, because you meant forumite, and the keyboard has n and m next to each other. When the count got beyond hundred (a rough figure), it was annoying to see the word so frequently. I even joked, using a coined word 'foreign'ite

because of the large number of forumites who live abroad.

In a strikingly high-flown kind of writing, it was more obvious--the word forunite, occurring so many times...

Since we are on words, the word 'activist' does not apply to all rasikAs, except that we all actively listen to music, enjoy it, and share our responses to music with other rasikAs. Rasikatva is our common bond.

All can't be sabha secretaries , and many don't want to be, and there is no need for it either! All can't be, and don't need to be politically minded in bringing about reforms in the music scene.

What I mean is, there is no music without rasikAs in this concert-oriented culture of ours. Good or bad, concerts are necessary for keeping CM alive and well. I can dream of listening to carnatic music in an isolated temple or in the wilderness, to the accompaniment of bird sounds (sorry, that too has been filmed now for us in this modern world!), but a dream is only a dream or something you can watch on the screen for a mere hour

Before this gets to be a very long post, I want to say that it was just a question about a single word, and that's all...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 09 Dec 2014, 12:06

g_m,
Our posts crossed!
Agreed. Forumite is a newly coined, accepted word

Fora, we do use at times, but 'for unites'? Is it 'unite for'?

ganesh_mourthy · Post by **ganesh_mourthy** » 09 Dec 2014, 12:31

Arasi,

Exactly. For Unites is forunites. But I am against adding many more terms and words to a language. However vocabulary rich you are there are always, newer words you encounter everyday which just means the same old word that you already know. Especially with English spoken widely with the chance of getting mutilating severely at every region while being receptive to foreign words , it has now gotten to a stage where it is full of excessively redundant terms , I feel. It is more fashionable nowadays in " The Hindu" to use words from French. My French is at the same level of English , so it is not straining to read. But, it is irritating sometime when you feel like "ah I know this french word used in English coz I know
French " , but means entirely something else in English ( the pronunciation as well). what a kola!
Ah yeah " kolaveri" was just about to get introduced to English but narrowly missed I guess.

Now to the important point, who will be there on 29th meet? Is that a different thread?

GM

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 09 Dec 2014, 13:00

The thread you are looking for is Semakkulam Balasubramanian (Gobilalitha) in this same section (General Discussions).

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 09 Dec 2014, 13:16

I think Sri munirao's intention is a good one - being able to raise issues to the forefront on behalf of "rasikas". Not sure how much traction it will get but certainly worth a try. That is assuming we can get some consensus here on the burning issues. Which may be quite a daunting task.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 09 Dec 2014, 18:42

RSachi Sir
Please a poll arrangement for the TOP 1 and 2 Questions for the members and oblige.

munirao2001

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 09 Dec 2014, 18:56

arasi
Yes it was one single word, making minds meet!

munirao2001

msakella · Post by **msakella** » 11 Dec 2014, 15:22

Many are ready to discuss any thing pertaining to music extensively. But, very sadly, none of the maestros or legends or experts or even the famous organizations come out to discuss the problems of the poor aspirants or their parents who are the backbone of our music. All their minds certainly meet in successfully turning a deaf ear in this respect. amsharma

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 11 Dec 2014, 17:34

WARNING! I am posting a 755 worded reply to Sri MSAkella gaaru. Only those of you who are with higher interest in KM, KM teaching and practices may devote your valuable time to this sharing.

Brother member Sri MSAkella garu,
There is no room for despondency. Even though rasikas attending concerts /other events related to KM is on the decline, except for the popular artists, there is very healthy increase in young taking to learning KM. You and me and knowledgeable others also know that there will always be students of: 1.Fortunate being born in the family of musicians; 2. Very fortunate being born to parents who are deeply interested in KM, missed themselves opportunity to learn and very much committed to support their child to learn KM; 3. Parents who are themselves not very much interested in KM but accede to the request of their child to learn, either born out of inspiration or just peer pressure; 4. Parents desiring the pleasure of their child to be the winner in a competition, exerting pressure in proportion to the prestige associated with the Event; 5. Socially conscious Parents desiring their child to develop multifaceted skills and personality development;6. Parents desiring to have their own fun time to relax, find it convenient their child is engaged in some activity and being away, even if it is KM.
Naturally Parent’s influence on the child in learning in the formative years and in the adult age is very critical. Children, with few exceptions, imbibe the very qualities of Parents either by inheritance or observation/imitation.
Children who enjoy the able guidance of Parents; who are naturally immensely talented and are studious; inspired and become interested and committed, will learn and also master with the support of an able Guru(s)/teacher(s). They know and are convinced that it takes long years of learning and practice to attain vidwath and also to become a performer. The present system of teaching, born out of sampradaya, are successfully serving the needs and the results of Maestros/Vidwans/Vidushees in the age group of 25 to 55 stand testimony to this statement of truth. Popular artists taking the training and developing the art of performing and deliver pleasure to the rasikas and also winning the appreciation of the Great Maestros/Maestros reinforces the statement of truth that the present system does serve very eminently.
Where is the problem lying in the systems and methods of teaching and learning? The problem lies with the system of teaching and learning in only supporting the extraordinarily talented. Learners with initial interest and not extraordinarily talented are losing the interest and are being lost, either for ever or to other genre of music. Few of them luckily achieve the success. Children very intelligent, very energetic, in need of learning quickly ( who constitute the majority in the present times), even impatient, desiring the limelight as performers, who cannot afford education costs related to the present system are desperately in need of quick learning systems and practices. With the basic foundation well laid in innovative and proven systems and methods-Sruti;Svara and Svarasthanas; tala and kaalapramana; structural forms and aspects of both lakshya and lakshana, they become self empowered. Few of them becoming serious practitioners will go from strength to strength on self improvement basis with both higher learning and practice. Majority of them unable to pursue music education for other reasons become discerning listeners. Continually higher and higher population will take to KM either for practice or for the music appreciation and enjoying the pleasure. Over a period, the KM will reach critical mass in appreciation resulting in growth and development of KM, in continuum.
While teaching me my Father and Guru, SSRao used to admonish me-if you become deeply committed and dedicated, you will become a Vidwan; if you learn with involvement, intelligence and devote time, with yogam, you will become a successful performer; if you learn without involvement, intelligence and devote time, without yogam, you will become a teacher; if you are casual, you will become, at least a rasika; if you do not belong to any of these, you will definitely become, a critic!
You’re proven ‘AMS EASY METHODS’ will meet either one or two of the various categories of learners mentioned above, very eminently. Without devoting time critically on the present and established sampradaya system and method of teaching and learning; its practitioners; putting an end to this; by devoting total time on the innovative systems and methods resulting in Fast Track Successfully; very good results for taking KM to the critical mass appreciation will result. With better knowledge and exposure, this will receive the needed appreciation and support, soon. I commit my sincere and unstinting support to you and to ‘AMS EASY METHODS’.

munirao2001

Pratyaksham Bala · Post by **Pratyaksham Bala** » 11 Dec 2014, 18:32

munirao2001 wrote:... ... if you learn without involvement, intelligence and devote time, without yogam, you will become a teacher ... ...

!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 11 Dec 2014, 19:57

I skimmed through the 755 words and found this.

Of course, vidvAn Srinivasa Rao has said this in the context of what becomes of a student at the end of his learning from a teacher--according to how much he invested in his years with a guru...

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 11 Dec 2014, 20:10

" if you learn without involvement, intelligence and devote time, without yogam, you will become a teacher" Wow - what an inflammatory statement on Teachers profession

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 11 Dec 2014, 22:39

George Bernard Shaw wrote: "Those who can DO. Those who cannot Teach"......This statement may or may not be true it is at least FUNNY! VKV :-ss

) :-@ :-\
AS ONCE UPON A TIME TEACHER OF SORTS. Fortunately did bad Physics research & made a living to compensate.....

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 12 Dec 2014, 11:05

On Teachers, the observation/advise/statement is applicable for those who do not put in the saadhana for acquiring Vidwath, as rightly pointed out by arasi, but satisfied with the certificate of recognition and award. The focus being the mandatory completion of learning period and becoming a vidwan without the commitment and dedication(tapasya) required to achieve higher knowledge, skills and expertise. They end up only as teachers to make a living. Don't we have teachers who fit it into this description ? It is not applicable for those Vidwans, who acquire vidwath and succeed as practitioners, performers and also teachers. When an authority makes a statement, one has to think, reflect and introspect to take the advise and work for achievement and fulfillment.

munirao2001

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 12 Dec 2014, 13:07

Only a teacher?

Whilst a certain expertise in doing must surely be a requirement for teaching, it does not follow that that a great doer is a great teacher. It does not follow, in the arts, that a great teacher is necessarily comfortable in public performance. It does not follow that a great teacher even wants to perform.

The assumption that a teacher = performer - something seems to me to be completely flawed. A non-performing teacher may be someone we have never heard of, but it does not make them a creature of lesser dedication or a lesser human being.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 12 Dec 2014, 15:10

Nick.H

In performing arts, the highest satisfaction one gets is in performing and getting the appreciation, recognition and reward from the revered Great Maestros/Maestros as well as from the discerning listeners. Performances are litmus tests for the knowledge, both acquired and practiced. Higher the Vidwath, your chances to succeed is higher. To become a popular performer, who has the support of both the pandita and pamara, yogam is required. Vidwath + Tapasya + Yogam = Great Maestro/Maestro + Popularity.
Higher Vidwath + Tapasya/saadhana - yogam = Great Maestro/Maestro - Popularity. More than Adequate Vidwath + good voice - Tapasya/saadhana-yogam = Teacher and performer, with very few opportunities to perform. Adequate Vidwath-Good Voice -Tapasya/saadhana-yogam= Teacher. This is historical facts of KM, related to Vocalists only. Instrumentalists-Violin,Veena, Venu +Vidwath and percussionists - Adequate Vidwath, majority have to reconcile for the role of teacher. Percussionists with Higher Vidwath and also Adequate Vidwath + yogam are successful as performers and also teachers.

munirao2001

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 12 Dec 2014, 23:10

Well, I was really frightened to set foot on stage for the first time, and my mridangam teacher said, "Learning without performing has no meaning!"

Yes, I can see that --- but there are, I think, still specialists in teaching rather than performing. There are also those who, despite the undeniable truth of what you say, have great ability, but no desire to have that confirmed by a public audience.

I am not speaking of those who have some fatal flaw which keeps them from the stage, and which they unable not to pass to their students. I am sure that they exist too.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 12 Dec 2014, 23:22

There are muscians who are good at public performance but cannot teach others or have no skills to teach others. This is true of any profession though.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 13 Dec 2014, 11:47

Nick.H and VKRaman,

In performing arts, every artist tries to get the performing opportunities and assignments. Very few are lucky to get the opportunities, as the event managers attach highest importance for the popular artists. House becoming full, the organization is served well to manage the finances. House full and financial requirements also met, the event manager also gets the spin off benefit of popularity. This guaranteed mutual benefits and its enjoyment, unfortunately leads to giving the opportunity to other artists, as a good fillers with the attitude that they are doing favor. Rarely, merits also come into being for the consideration.
The successful and extremely busy artists will have time only to learn new compositions and enhance their repertoire to satisfy their fan following and to remain popular. They can not find time to teach. If they still manage, it will be to the restricted few. Popular artists naturally attracting students, do find intelligently to teach the very talented students, who have the innate ability to learn more by hearing their Guru either practicing or performing. The gaps in the learning filled by the Guru or their other prominent student(s). Very name of the Guru and his/her popularity results in getting the opportunities from the event manager who has become die hard fan of the Guru.

Artists who have acquired very high vidwath but either due to their principles of adhering to offering uncompromisingly, chaste and pure music, create a style of their own and resort to ways and means to get the opportunities to perform, quickly reconcile themselves to getting rare opportunities to perform. With the direct experience or other Vidwans recommendation, students approach them for acquiring their specialized knowledge and skills. Accepting them and finding satisfaction in their students progressing well, they settle down either as a part time or full time teachers. Over a period of time, they are given the identity of ' good for teaching, but not for performing'. With deep disappointment and later contentment, they also get reconciled to their predicament. These artists are simply denied due recognition.

Artists who have acquired very high vidwath and adhere to their principles, either with wealth inherited or an employment meeting their financial requirements adequately, do accept very few students who come to them based on their reputation and teach, part time. They do full justice to the very rare opportunities to perform and get sense of fulfillment.

Artists who have acquired adequate vidwath, either from a Guru or from an institution and unsure of the support from the event managers, they quickly settled down to full time teaching to make a living. Happy with the rare opportunities come their way, either by default or by the recommendations of influential person related to their students.

Artists who have acquired either adequate vidwath or have not acquired the adequate vidwath and having physical difficulties or physical impairment to perform and succeed to make a living, they plan to establish themselves as teachers. With this mental make up either they stop acquiring higher knowledge and skills or update with knowledge and skills for teaching.

The identities of 'Musicologist', 'Scholar', 'Good Teacher, not good Performer', 'Torchbearer of a Guru ', 'Clever and Shrewd', 'Right connections' and now popular'sponsor recommended or fixed' either makes or mars an artist, irrespective of his credentials and merits. If all the stakeholders are committed and dedicated to work for the excellent opportunity for the KM outreach-Global, meritocracy must be given the top most priorities and resources. Will this change come? Happen? Your wish and guess is same as of myself, uncertain.

munirao2001

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 13 Dec 2014, 12:29

Dear Munirao,

I am really wondering whether so many performing artists especially under violin,Mridangam,ghatam etc will get enough remuneration to lead comfortable life.One can make out that there are very busy vidwans who are definitely getting proper remuneration.Sri TM Krishna openly has announced that he shares the remuneration in equal proportion.
This is a grey area and i do not know how these things work out.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 13 Dec 2014, 13:31

HNBhagvan Sir,

Except the Popular artists, who either can command the fees or given decent enough remuneration, the vast majority of the artists practicing KM, juggle and struggle to make a living. As Sri Vijaysiva, a Maestro, replied in the 'Meet the Artist' column of The Hindu, successful artists reach the life style of a upper middle class, after a long struggle. Artists who are getting regular overseas opportunities, they reach a comfortable living over a period. With uncontrolled and entrenched 'freebie' culture of rasikas and even event managers, no remedy for the artists plight, who remain in India only. Artists are mainly thriving on their other means of income. Mean average remuneration for the artists are ranging between Rs.1,000 to Rs.5,000, all inclusive. The opportunities are far and few. I need not elaborate further.
I was shocked to hear from Sri B.K.Anantaram, a reputed and Senior Vidwan-Flute, who narrated the incident in the recent KFAC Meet at the Bengaluru Gayana Samaja, about his experience of a Secretary of a Sabha in Chennai surreptitiously thrusting Rs.300/-as fees. The fees not even meeting his minimal expenditure and going out of pocket. Is this honor or tragic insult? Enough. I am also disturbed with the repeat statement of a very reputed musicologist and critic that in the present times, artists are living very comfortably. Yes, it is restricted to the very few very successful artists and artists with other means of income. I wish artist(s) talk to him and correct his view.
All the rasikas have to become responsible and support the artists and the art by sharing the resources, voluntarily or at least on compulsion.

munirao2001

msakella · Post by **msakella** » 13 Dec 2014, 15:36

Dear brother-member, muniraogaru,

You wrote a very nice and knowledgeable post. I cannot write like you in this unfamiliar language. However, I shall try up to some extent to bring out my different views.

Having already led a mixed life of both professional-parasitical-performer and professional-inefficient-teacher (cheater or teaser) for much of my life I could, ultimately, realize by the grace of the Almighty and accordingly I have my own observations, analysis and findings along with some despondency.

You wrote ‘The present system of teaching, born out of Sampradaya, are successfully serving the needs and the results of Maestros/Vidwans/Vidushees in the age group of 25 to 55 stand testimony to this statement of truth. Popular artists taking the training and developing the art of performing and deliver pleasure to the rasikas and also winning the appreciation of the Great Maestros/Maestros reinforces the statement of truth that the present system does serve very eminently.’ In this respect my findings are entirely different and I request you to kindly go through the URL, http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php? ... 12#p273212.

Even in respect of the performer and teacher, in my extensive experiments I found that while a performer strives hard for his self-aggrandisement only and hardly strives for others an efficient, honest and reliable teacher is far above always striving hard to nobly make others knowledgeable. Since many years I have vigorously been trying to find such a teacher but in vain. amsharma

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 13 Dec 2014, 18:06

Munirao,

In all of the arts, sports, and even in some of the professions, recognition is hard to find, and a living is hard to make. For the sake of argument, shall we call it 1% who will be public performers, players, etc. So what of the 99%? For every performer we see, there must be dozens, or even hundreds, with equal or greater skills, that we will never see, because they never get the chance. There are other ways that they can use their skills, and their love of what they do. Teaching is one of them.

I cannot argue with anything you say about the stage, except this: it is not the final arbiter.

My statistics are all made up: the real ones are probably are lot harder.

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 13 Dec 2014, 19:07

Dear Sri Munirao,

Generally rasikas are reluctant to part with money for attending the concerts.Hence sponsorship holds the key and supports the generation of funds.Even ticket sales will not be able to support the money required for organizing a concert.In the Cleveland festival Sri V V Sundaram was requesting a contribution of 5000 dollars from ten people out of the thousands gathered for the event.The Ramotsava Committee in Bangalore has to dole out free passes to influential officials and others for the ramanavami concerts..The Bangalore Gayana Samaja trust gets a major donation from Mayyas,Ganjam house for the Conference held every year.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 15 Dec 2014, 16:48

hnbhagvan Sir

Sponsors have taken the role of Maharajas/Rajas, traditional Zamindars and neo rich business people. Except for organizing the events of extremely popular artists, the support is found wanting. We should also not fail to take note of the Sponsors different yardsticks for funding-a Hindustani music event, Light music, Devotional music and also the western music. Not difficult to guess, the KM receives the least of funding. Reason- no mileage! For mileage they expect, who are responsible? We, the rasikas. Why rasikas should not own the responsibility? Why can't they give equal attention to utilize their resources for a great art and great artists. Vast majority of them are paid shamelessly very low remuneration mainly due to the abdication of responsibility by the rasikas. 'Nidhi Chaala Sukhama' by Saint Thyagraja is not only addressed to the artists but also equally to the rasikas and patrons. Rasikas must immediately shed this irresponsible behaviour and support the event managers and also directly the artists, if truly rasikas desire the change, growth and development of one of the greatest arts forms humans have developed and also very great artists of KM we are privileged to have.

munirao2001

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 15 Dec 2014, 19:35

Sponsors have taken the role of Maharajas/Rajas, traditional Zamindars and neo rich business people, Downtrodden remain Downtrodden; rasikas abdication of responsibility by the rasikas; who else is left. How can we change the world, one small bite at a time by each one of us in our own way to popularize CM.

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 03 Jan 2015, 11:59

The Open house on 1 Jan (8.45 to 10 a.m.) at the Kasturi Srinivasan hall (Mini auditorium at the Academy premies) was a routine affair.

1. Apart from the Secreatary of the Academy Shri Papu Venugopala Rao and T V Gopalakrishnan, Sangita kalanidhi designate of the year (who received the title the same evening) the expert committee members present on the dais were: P S Narayanaswamy, R Vedavalli, Geetha Raja, Suguna Varadachari, M .Chandrasekharan, Trichur V Ramachandran, M B Vedavalli, B M Sundaram, R S Vijayalakshmi, Padma Moorthyn & S A K Durga.

2. Comments of the expert committee members of the Academy on the lec dems (that happened at the same venue during the previous fortnight) were just formal.

3.The need for increasing the time slot for lec-dem sessions was pointed out by many. (This is a long standing suggestion which has not been intently addressed by Academy). Alternately, the number of demo could be limited to one per day if it has to be meaningful. This will also prevent the overlapping of the lecdem with the 'super-senior artist morning concert' happening at the main auditorium.

4. Shri. B M Sundaram rightly pointed out the poor attendance by young professionals at the morning lec-dems. Because they are the ones to be benefited by the proceedings. There was at least one suggestion that artists who are given a concert performance opportunity at the Academy series must attend the sessions compulsorily. Well, I felt that 'crowd puller presenters' are required even for lec-dems!!

5.If at all you wanted to have something 'technical' it was a brief discussion on what 'musicology' denotes. SAK Durga said it is the study of the history of music. Many put in their views. It appeared as though we are confusing the term 'musicologist' who, to us, is one who knows more of the theory of music. However, the debate didn't reach any conclusion!

6.The audience was rather thin for the open house and participation was minimal mainly because of 'time shortage'- the most convenient reason.

After the open house was over, I went up to the secretary Shri Pappu Venugopala Rao in person and sought his opinion as to whether it would be possible to have the lec-dems (say 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) during an exclusive week prior to start of the the concert series. He admitted frankly that it may not work out due to practical considerations.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 03 Jan 2015, 13:08

sivaramakrishnan Sir,
Thanks for the report. As already posted by a fellow member, nothing substantial has been discussed.
On Musicology, I am surprised to read about the comment of Dr.S.A.K.Durga, a very senior and respected musicologist. Musicology consists of -Theory, analysis, composition; history; cultural or ethno studies; research and studies; psychology and philosophy; practices-performance, teaching, production and event management.
Whenever poor attendance for lecture-demonstrations and academic sessions, I am always reminded about the excellence in event management by Sri Krishnaprasad of Sri Rama lalitha kala mandira, Bengaluru and their team

munirao2001

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 03 Jan 2015, 20:26

Dear Sri Munirao,

I did attend a few lecdems.The attendance was good for the mini hall.People were finding it difficult to get the seats.

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 04 Jan 2015, 06:10

bhagavan,
the remark was mainly with regard to poor attendance by young artists/professionals.

vgovindan · Post by **vgovindan** » 04 Jan 2015, 22:36

VK RAMAN wrote: How can we change the world, one small bite at a time by each one of us in our own way to popularize CM.

As with TAWF, I am willing to contribute Rs.1000/- per month. Can we see some action to alleviate the problem of junior artists and accompanyists?

satyabalu · Post by **satyabalu** » 05 Jan 2015, 23:49

There were a few of them received well like those of Aruna Sairam & Bombay Jayashree.
Why they have given a chance for Lec-Dem to at least 4 of them who got the regular concert slot to perform this season?.
There is no time for the general audience to speak.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 06 Jan 2015, 11:04

Satyabalu Sir,
It is not only MA, in all the other such events due to the mismanagement of time, rasikas never get the opportunity, with very rare exceptions, like 'Ideas Conclave' of Toto Funds for Fine Arts and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, both of Bengaluru held last year.

munirao2001

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 25 Jan 2015, 06:55

Well, several years back, the then secretary Dr.V V Srivatsa suggested that rasikas would be free to write to the Academy for their perusal at leisure. When I persisted, said he in his characteristic style: "of course you'll get a reply if it merits any"! I did write a letter suggesting MA should document (video-graph) the entire lec-dem series to be maintained in the archives. When I met him later he just said: "can you get me a sponsor for that?"

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 26 Jan 2015, 02:55

Sivaramakrishnan, though it will be better if Dr. Srivatsa had replied to your letter, his response is encouraging. It is a question of money and if we can find the money through a sponsor, he would do it. Now the follow up question would be, how much money does he need?

But with what parvadini has shown, I do not think Music Academy itself need to spend any money on it, they just need to give permission to a service like Parivadini. May be Parivadini themselves can ask MA about this? May be Venkat had already asked?

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 26 Jan 2015, 10:13

VK: Good suggestion. But as we well know, the Music Academy and technology have a tenuous relationship at best.
The discussions we had about Pappu and the electronic judging software is a good indicator of their general state of affairs. That said, much of their electronic archiving has gone well, but when I visited their library last year I realized that they do not have a functioning/searchable catalog for any of their materials!

Back on this topic: my sense is that they do not even know what their commercialization potential is for their lec-dems and concerts. I hope Venkat and Lalitha Ram would approach them with a plan; they just might finally be ready to get with the times.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 26 Jan 2015, 13:59

Aside: Parivadini has gone very quiet and does not seem to be currently functioning. I hope this is a temporary absence.

Still the idea is good "But with what parvadini has shown, I do not think Music Academy itself need to spend any money on it, they just need to give permission to a service like Parivadini."

One thing that Parivadini has demonstrated is that it is possible to provide video coverage/youtube-archiving of events without investing in multi-lakh-Rs equipment. The stuff that they use would probably not buy even one leg of a pro videographer's tripod. The pros may not be too pleased about this; they have a living to earn too!