This post is inspired by the title on a Vilayat Khan CD: The monumental Music of Ustad Vilayat Khan. In recent days, I've gone back to listening to my favourite raga - Darbari. And, the greatest Darbari ever recorded in my opinion is one by Ustad Amir Khan - which can be found here.
If anyone deserves the title of "Monumental Music", it is Ustad Amir Khan. I agree with Mr. Parrikar that this recording is possibly one of the greatest music pieces ever recorded.
What makes this so special? Full adherence to the spirit of Darbari - not rushed, but not repetitive - this rendition takes the listener into an ocean of Darbari - you come out drenched, and the raga sticks in your mind for days. Of particular importance is the "giving up" movement to the lower Dha - signature of a Darbari - many singers/musicians come back to Sa - that is not "true" Darbari in my opinion, where the movement must fall back to Komal Dha and stay there a while, and then gradually come back again.
What a monumental rendition !
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
An online debate on Usenet
I recently sparked off a debate on the Indian Classical Music Newsgroup by protesting against comments against Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
This led to some good exchanges with other posters.
In Indian Classical Music, we are taught to respect our elders and seniors. I respect Ustad Amjad Ali Khan deeply and so it was hurtful for me to see comments which I felt were in poor taste. I have personal views about other musicians, but at no time would I contemplate raging against them in public. I felt I had to speak up.
What these posters do not realise is that their words have been captured for eternity on the internet. I can see them at the age of 50 looking back on their rants and wishing they hadn't written them. Or when a google search turns up their comments next to the news of the artist in question passing away....
"Words are like arrows - you can't get them back".... Yiddish saying
Let us all express our opinions in a cordial manner - music is nothing to get abusive about.
This led to some good exchanges with other posters.
In Indian Classical Music, we are taught to respect our elders and seniors. I respect Ustad Amjad Ali Khan deeply and so it was hurtful for me to see comments which I felt were in poor taste. I have personal views about other musicians, but at no time would I contemplate raging against them in public. I felt I had to speak up.
What these posters do not realise is that their words have been captured for eternity on the internet. I can see them at the age of 50 looking back on their rants and wishing they hadn't written them. Or when a google search turns up their comments next to the news of the artist in question passing away....
"Words are like arrows - you can't get them back".... Yiddish saying
Let us all express our opinions in a cordial manner - music is nothing to get abusive about.
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