I am very much encouraged to see a new group of music lovers across the world. I call these people the Internet Bhadralok (Internet gentry) in the field of Hindustani Classical Music. They like their music and also provide interesting feedback about the art and its practitioners.
Hindustani music discussion tends to be dominated by an unwritten rule of hyperbole where musicians are never criticised constructively. If a great maestro performs, then none of the so-called professional critics will write anything objective, except writing praise in meaningless flowery language.
That's where the Bhadralok step in. They are not afraid to dissect a performance and call a spade a spade. In an era of ageing masters and (largely) intolerable star children devoid of talent and tayyari (musical form), they are a refreshing breath of air, calling performers to account and busting this long held rule of treating musicians like demi-gods.
However, the key trap that the Bhadralok suffer from is "analysis paralysis". Coming from quantitative professions like IT, law and commerce, they enjoy the intellectual challenge of analysing something inherently emotional. However, their day job skills take over their passion, and the net result is that musical analysis is overcomplicated, and often dry. In trying to maintain the same rigour that goes into writing a case, report or presentation, the net result can often be quite dull and dry.
However, overall, these people are doing a great service to this magnificient art form and I'm very grateful for their presence.
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