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Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008
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Art and the audience

Subha J Rao

A spirited discussion marks a symposium on music organised as part of The Hindu Friday Review November Fest

— PHOTO: R. RAGU

TO FIND A BALANCE: N. Murali, Managing Director, The Hindu, speaking at a symposium held as part of the November Fest in Chennai. Sitting, from left, are singer Neyveli Santhanagopalan, santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, violinist R.K. Shriramkumar, filmmaker Mani Kaul and Kalakshetra director Leela Samson.

Chennai: “Does serious art, whether music, dance, cinema or theatre, have to compromise on quality to reach out, to become popular? Does the dissemination of art also inevitably trigger a downslide in standards? Or is it possible to share the best without attrition in quality?” asked N. Murali, Managing Director of The Hindu.

Describing these questions as “troubling” and “affecting the future of music,” he said it was important to explore how artistes cas find a balance between the demands of the art and the demands of the audience.

Addressing a symposium on ‘Art and Audience’ at the Taj Connemara hotel here on Monday, he drew attention to the growing influence of Indian music across the world and spoke of how world music has become a genre by itself.

The symposium, held as a part of The Hindu Friday Review November Fest, saw presentations made by people from the fields of music, dance and films.

Starting the proceedings, singer Neyveli Santhanagopalan, said: “There is an urgent need to recover the lost balance through sincere thought and take corrective measures.”

Filmmaker Mani Kaul spoke about how vital it is for performers to listen to their own music as it is being rendered. “Music is the mediator between the performer and the audience. When that relationship is not established, the performer becomes a commodity, and the audience the consumer.”

Violinist R.K. Shriramkumar stressed the importance of returning to bhakti (devotion) as the basis of music. “The onus is on us to preserve and cherish it forever.” Saying musicians have descended from the “high level” called bhakti music to the lower form of ‘kutcheris,’ he said that it was time “we get back there and transport the audience back there too.”

Drawing on his long experience as a performer, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma said he did not regard himself as an entertainer. “When I play, I experience bliss; that I share with the audience.” The santoor maestro was against diluting music to “suit” audiences.

Kalakshetra director Leela Samson observed that the topic suggested an imbalance of art and audience. “It is possible to create something that is challenging, and yet entertaining. Art is about impacting others. But, be comfortable with what you are doing.”

In her response, singer Nithyasree Mahadevan said: “Classical music provides enlightenment. And, when presented in its pristine, pure form, will it not be appreciated?” The ultimate goal of music is ‘swanubhava’ but it is useless if it does not stir the hearts of the audience,” she said.

“Innovation is necessary sometimes, but it should be within the Lakshman Rekha of tradition,” she felt.

Singer T.M. Krishna said he would play Devil’s Advocate. “Why balance? It is all about personal integrity.” As for communicating with the audience, he said: “The music should communicate, not the artist. The audience is there to experience my experience.”

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