Gone are the days when classical art flourished under the umbrella of the royal and loyal patrons. Vocalist Meeta Pandit, scion of the prestigious Gwalior gharana, says artistes today are dependent upon people and the government for their survival. Granddaughter of Pt Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit and daughter of L K Pandit, Meeta is of the opinion that India needs a solid structure for the sustenance of the various classical art forms including music. "Earlier, the traditions in various art forms flourished due to people who had finer taste and also had the money to spend. The artist would not have to do anything other than pursue the art. Things have completely changed now. "The royalties have been taken over by the people of India and the artistes are dependent upon public performances, corporate companies, the government, foreign tours and the internet. Even recording companies are very less. A diverse country like India needs a solid structure for sustenance of classical art forms," Meeta said. Art itself has undergone changes, said Meeta, as artistes have to cater to the taste of the audience. "We cannot separate art forms from social changes. Today without even attending a concert or buying a CD people can listen to any artiste around the world. People have a variety of music to choose from. When the audience changes, so does the artiste because both feed off each other." Meeta said even the audience have changed over time as there is a difference between today and the times when her father used to perform. "These days we have to perform to a heterogeneous audiences. But in his time the concert-goers were much more informed. They knew the nuances of what is being sung. The audience would even point out if the artiste made any mistake. It developed a sense of responsibility in the artiste."Source: Indian Express
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Indian classical music needs support to sustain itself: Meeta Pandit
Gone are the days when classical art flourished under the umbrella of the royal and loyal patrons. Vocalist Meeta Pandit, scion of the prestigious Gwalior gharana, says artistes today are dependent upon people and the government for their survival. Granddaughter of Pt Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit and daughter of L K Pandit, Meeta is of the opinion that India needs a solid structure for the sustenance of the various classical art forms including music. "Earlier, the traditions in various art forms flourished due to people who had finer taste and also had the money to spend. The artist would not have to do anything other than pursue the art. Things have completely changed now. "The royalties have been taken over by the people of India and the artistes are dependent upon public performances, corporate companies, the government, foreign tours and the internet. Even recording companies are very less. A diverse country like India needs a solid structure for sustenance of classical art forms," Meeta said. Art itself has undergone changes, said Meeta, as artistes have to cater to the taste of the audience. "We cannot separate art forms from social changes. Today without even attending a concert or buying a CD people can listen to any artiste around the world. People have a variety of music to choose from. When the audience changes, so does the artiste because both feed off each other." Meeta said even the audience have changed over time as there is a difference between today and the times when her father used to perform. "These days we have to perform to a heterogeneous audiences. But in his time the concert-goers were much more informed. They knew the nuances of what is being sung. The audience would even point out if the artiste made any mistake. It developed a sense of responsibility in the artiste."Source: Indian Express