Last evening, I attended a sitar concert in the heart of an urban cultural hub. The artist was young renowned sitarist, the auditorium packed, it was organised by a very reputed organization and the anticipation palpable. The raga of the evening was Pooria Dhanashree, a raga celebrated for its introspective and tranquil essence. As the first plucks of the sitar resonated in the air, I leaned back, eager to be enveloped in its meditative beauty. But what followed was far from the serene experience I had envisioned.
The alap, traditionally a slow unfolding of the raga’s emotional landscape, was rushed, as though checking off a box on a to-do list. A hurried jod and even brisker jhala came next, each phrase delivered with precision but without pause for reflection. When the madhya laya (medium tempo) composition began, it was adorned with rapid-fire taans, forceful tihais, and intricate chakrataals. The audience clapped enthusiastically at these climactic displays of technical mastery. But as I sat there, unmoved by the performance, I wondered: what had happened to the tranquil nature of Pooria Dhanashree?
This isn’t an isolated experience. Increasingly, I find that modern classical music concerts, especially in urban centers, lean heavily towards high-energy, rhythm-centric renditions. The nuanced exploration of rasa and bhava, the very soul of a raga, seems to be taking a back seat. Instead, performances appear to focus on dazzling the audience with virtuosity and rhythmic acrobatics.
Several factors might be contributing to this shift:
Audience Expectations in Urban SettingsUrban audiences often lack the patience or exposure to fully appreciate the slow, meditative development of a raga. Performers, in turn, may feel compelled to cater to this demand for instant gratification, prioritizing spectacle over subtlety. The enthusiastic applause that follows forceful tihais and chakrataals reinforces this trend.
Changing Perceptions of “Great” PerformancesTechnical brilliance and rhythmic complexity are increasingly equated with artistic excellence. While these are undoubtedly important aspects of performance, they are not the essence of Indian classical music. A raga like Pooria Dhanashree, rooted in introspection, cannot reveal its rasa if the performance prioritizes speed and aggression.
Loss of Rasa-Bhava KnowledgeThe traditional understanding of rasa and bhava—how a raga’s swaras and phrases evoke specific emotions—is rarely emphasized in modern training. Artists may master the mechanics of a raga without delving into its emotional depth, leading to performances that are technically proficient but emotionally hollow.
Urbanization and Time ConstraintsIn a fast-paced urban environment, the extended format of traditional concerts has given way to shorter performances. The artist, with limited time, may feel pressured to demonstrate their prowess rather than allowing the raga to unfold naturally.
The Instrument and its RoleThe sitar, a deeply emotive instrument, can express the tranquil beauty of Pooria Dhanashree through subtle meends and delicate plucking. But when played with excessive force and speed, its capacity for evoking rasa diminishes, reducing it to a vehicle for rhythmic showmanship.
Does this aggressive approach make for a "great" performance? I’m not so sure. While it certainly dazzles the audience and showcases the artist’s technical skills, it sacrifices the very essence of the raga. Pooria Dhanashree is meant to evoke peace, yearning, and introspection—qualities that demand patience and sensitivity to express. A hurried or forceful rendition strips the raga of its emotional core, leaving behind an empty display of virtuosity.
The enthusiastic applause from the audience might suggest otherwise. But applause, I’ve come to realize, isn’t always an indicator of a performance’s depth. It often reflects the audience’s excitement at the technical brilliance rather than their emotional engagement with the music.
What Can Be Done?
For Artists:Artists must resist the urge to cater exclusively to audience expectations. They should delve deeply into the emotional essence of each raga, understanding its rasa and bhava and finding ways to communicate this through their performance.
For Audiences:Education is key. Audiences need to be sensitized to the deeper aspects of Indian classical music—its ability to evoke emotions and connect us to a higher plane of existence.
For Gurus and Institutions:Music education must emphasize the philosophy of ragas, the concept of rasa, and the importance of creating an immersive experience over dazzling displays of skill.
As I walked out of the concert hall, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Pooria Dhanashree had been reduced to a spectacle, its tranquil nature drowned in the clamor of fast-paced virtuosity. Indian classical music, with its roots in spiritual expression and emotional depth, deserves better. Perhaps it’s time to reorient both performances and perceptions, returning to the heart of what makes this music so profoundly moving: its ability to touch the soul.
Credits: Grammer check : ChatGPT
Photo: Youtube
Comments