Carnatic Music & Communal Harmony - Ravikiran Interview in Outlook Magazine

[asangeetha]

http://www.outlookindia.com/article/inc ... sic/294733

[shankar vaidyanathan]

Thank you, asangeetha, for posting the link.

It takes a maestro like Sri Ravikiran to state the historic context of carnatic music's evolution. This is a timely rebuttal by a scholar to the special interests who project that CM is somehow confined to Mylapore.

The early decades of the 20th century saw greats such as MKT, PUC, SGK and other stage singers par excellence taking CM to the masses through the nascent medium of cinema.

Within the last several decades, Tamil satellite TV channels that thrive on mega serials have selfishly hogged the lives of families. Add to it the fading trend of not having frequent concerts in public forums such as Temples. This mass cheapening of public taste is a contributing factor. Kudos to the master for calling a spade a spade.

[Rsachi]

I do hope that the new government will revive this syllabus and introduce both Carnatic and Hindustani in schools across the country. Children respond to the arts well, and they might be further groomed to become performers or organisers involved in the classical music industry.

Without much noise making about whom Carnatic music belongs to, let us begin by correcting any imbalances by working passionately to bring children into the artistic fold across schools both in villages and the cities. Reform is possible only by such massive outreach programmes. Let everyone be exposed and offered the choice to embrace Carnatic music.

Here is a specific proposal. I feel the full strength of support from all rasikas and wellwishers of Classical music will go a long way in moving this from an idea to an action.

Is it possible for someone competent to draft a petition to the HRD minister via change.org to be signed by all of us here and elsewhere quickly? It can be a powerful voice. We can follow up with interviews of musicians, rasikas, organisers etc. in the print and electronic media. The HRD minister may even be invited during December for an experience of the depth and breadth of CM and interaction with a competent panel.

[Piper]

Awesome article written by Chitravina Ravikiran Sir!
But some people have to realize it Sir.
If they keep their thoughts positive, that translates into positive words and furthermore eventually shapes into positive actions. Gandhiji's Quote you know.
Viji somanath
Dallas, Texas

[Piper]

I do appreciate and embrace the brilliant idea of introducing CM and HM in schools across the board!
Why not?
VSomanath

[priyaram78]

Really enjoyed reading the article. It is so informative. Carnatic music belongs to all. So well pointed out here. Kudos to Sri Chitravina Ravikiran.

[gardabha_gana]

If I were MA I would invite Smriti Irani to inaugurate the festival and work with her to implement the blueprint