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TUNE IN Youngsters listening to Pandit Viswamohan Bhatt and (below) Kiran Seth

“Take the drinking hole to the horse”, says Kiran Seth, Founder and Chairperson, SPICMACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth). “Their attention span may not be long enough for them to sit through an entire concert. But music can and should be incorporated into the curriculum of schools and colleges”.

V.V. Ravi, violinist-cum-vocalist, teacher and staff at All India Radio, Chennai agrees that a combination of training in school and parental encouragement at home is crucial. “Also, television talent shows and film music directors who use Carnatic music as a foundation for songs play a major role in increasing interest levels in classical music”. He conducted a programme “Raaga Rasa Anubhava” at a public venue, where young contestants were asked to identify classical ragas and sing movie songs that used the ragas as a base.

Archana, a 24-year-old accountant and an avid follower of the long-running show “Raagam Sangeetham” on Raj TV says that Carnatic music has a greater following among the youth today than it did in the past. “The contestants on the show are not just talented. They’re also knowledgeable about musical theories and structure”. Mastering it takes several years though, and many of these young learners drop out along the way, discouraged by their inability to become performers in a span of a few years. Dr Seth rues that the depth of music suffers as a result of this impatience and hopes that people approach it the way they would yoga: as a means to improve your lifestyle and not as an end in itself.

To popularise classical music as a genre, British violinist Tasmin Little took the bold step of allowing her album “The Naked Violin” to be downloaded for free on her website www.tasminlittle.net. She asks you to take her three-step challenge: 1. Listen to her introduction and download her CD. 2. Get to know her music. Write to her about what you liked (or disliked) about it. 3. Go to a concert, buy a CD or tell her what barriers prevent you from wanting to do either. Her site has since been visited by people from over 100 countries and downloads have crossed the 200,000 mark. Social networking websites such as orkut.com that are a credible barometer of youth culture have hundreds of user-formed communities dedicated to Carnatic music. These forums are active and thriving, displayed proudly on public profiles and feature debates, polls, artiste biographies and information on upcoming events.

SPICMACAY’s founder says that internet downloads are not the cause but the result of having been moved by music. Those who already have a keen interest in classical music log on to raaga.com or musicindiaonline.com to listen to concerts at their convenience.

Describing classical music as “abstract and mystical”, Dr. Seth believes it also has its practical benefits. “It makes your mind as sharp as a laser beam”.

What advice would he give to those who want to learn more about our music but are too hard-pressed for time? He prescribes a daily dose of legendary vocalist late M. D. Ramanathan. “They can listen for a few minutes while brushing their teeth, which I hope they do everyday!” he laughs. “If they do this, I guarantee that over a period of time, they will come to appreciate this art. Indian classical music has got to be a part of every young person’s life”.

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