Song of the universe
ANJANA RAJAN
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Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on the power of music.
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Photo: Sandeep Saxena
A time to lovePandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in New Delhi.
Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is synonymous with the Mohan veena, and why not? He invented it. But there is more to it than that. The celebrated instrumentalist, who was in the Capital for the Barkha Ritu festival this past weekend, tours the world with his melodious instrument that he has dedicated his life to and calls his first love. His album won a Grammy much before many Indians had heard of the American award, and now ‘vishwa’ (universal) is more than his first name. Recently returned from a tour of Malaysia and earlier the U.S. and Canada, the maestro feels that with more corporates taking up music patronage, opportunities are growing for the aspiring classical musician. Moreover, music can be used to heal society. Excerpts from an interview.
On his experience at the festival
I enjoyed it greatly. It was a good crowd. They seemed to really enjoy it and stayed put till the end. It was a great audience.
Different audiences
Yes, audiences differ in different places. Here, for example, I found mature listeners, who paid a lot of attention. We do adapt ourselves according to audience reaction. If we find the listeners really knowledgeable, we tend to show the intricacies of the art. But it is not as if we change or compromise the music for the sake of a particular audience. I do feel when the music is pure and of good quality, it will attract people, regardless of their knowledge. But it is necessary to make our music interesting.
Making classical music appeal to lay listeners
We have to change — not to dilute the tradition, but to make it more attractive and more exciting. It depends on each musician, how this can be done. It depends on the vision or the imagination of each. Music is very huge. There is so much flexibility possible. So it can be moulded.
On the Mohan veena’s place as a concert instrument
Yes, it has earned its place. It takes time to establish an instrument. Apart from Salil and myself, there are not too many exponents of the Mohan veena. But then playing an instrument requires a lifetime’s dedication. My disciples Kavita Das in Mumbai and Subol Nandi in Kolkata are good players. Also my younger son Saurabh.
Toughness of techique
It is tough no doubt. One reason is, the Mohan veena has no frets, so you have to produce the notes. The sitar for example, has pardas (frets), so the note will come on its own when you strike there. To produce notes from a fretless instrument, your knowledge of sur and your hearing must be highly tuned.
Also, bringing out khayal techniques like the barah gun ki taan and others — people thought these taans could not be played on the Mohan veena, but we showed it can be done. It has four times more length than the violin and only one playing string. Therefore to play fast taans requires great speed and skill. To top it all, no frets!
On the Vishwa veena he created
I don’t play the Vishwa veena. It is something I thought of creating and I did, but not to play myself. Because the Mohan veena is my first love. A few people do come to learn it though.
Coming up
My solo album called Celebrations of Love is about to be released by Kosmic. The compositions are by Saurabh.
Music for society
Music should be made compulsory from the school level. It is very necessary to inculcate these sanskars in children. Learning classical music will only increase their concentration, not reduce it as some fear. Besides, if they receive some practical education, other than the dry subjects they have to study, it will surely benefit them. Music brings peace of mind. Today the violence around us — the bomb blasts, etc. — is only due to the minds of people. And the mind can be controlled through music.
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