Music in Indian Perspective

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Preface The changing milieu of the arts and culture scene in India has been both breathtaking and fascinatng since the country's Independence, given the new found awareness of the near forgotten heritage and suddenly awakened faith of the people in their capability to surge forward. Taking only the performing arts comprising dance, music, theatre, cinema and puppetry - the progress and transformation from the dozen or so well structured courses in the University of Manchester, not easily available in this part of the world), I self the time was ripe to become a 'chronicler' of the passing scenario.

Indian Performing Arts was my first book in 1992 covering substantially the area for the 1970's and 1980's. With an encouraging Foreword by the scholar-aesthete Dr. Kapila Vatsyayana and delightful sketches by the master-artist RK Laxman, the book (from Vikas Publishing House) was surprisingly well received - especially abroad - and went through multiple editions till the copies got exhausted. It was time to cover the scene in the 1990's and Indian performing. Arts: A Mosaic has been an entirely new book in that direction: out in early 2006 (from Harman Publishing House) which has been already snapped up by the market.

Introduction The year 1999 was a time loaded with strange feelings. People were faced with thoughts and questions like: would the computers crash, systems malfunction, navigation systems stop to work? Perhaps it was not, after all, a good idea to travel even. I happened to be travelling on 30 December 1999, to be witnessing the millennium in Paris. It sounds strange, -- because one always wishes to spend the New Year cozy with the family. And here I was travelling. Yes, we did travel on 30 December and, no, the plane didn't come crashing.. Navigation systems worked perfect, all safe and sound, and we reached the destination. What an amazing way to welcome the new millennium! There was an amazing festival there, great arrangement, beautiful venue, and great audience, -- everything was perfect. I think I am so blessed to be chosen to be born so that I could live through the 20th century and now experience the 21st!

The scenario of Indian classical music has also changed over this period of time. It has to change, because it is part of us. So haven't we! In the olden times one could, just by the mere looks of the person, tell whether he was Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, South Indian or Gujarati. Today it is probably a little difficult to conjecture unless the person tells you his identity. Earlier, the mere opening alap by the artist could reveal his tutelage, but today is it like that? So much exposure is available by ways of the Internet, AIR, CD's, videos, television and so many concerts. All these have had their role and share in the person's identity. It is nice in a way that things have opened up so much.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages