MUMBAI: Indian classical music has reached a stage that most acclaimed classical musicians are saying – well, it's meant for �niche' audience and we don't really expect huge turnouts. But how did Indian classical music become niche? And what are those reasons that in spite of classical music being so rich and diverse, it has eventually got pushed into the shadows? The answer has probably got to do with our own inclinations as audience.
When was the last time you attended a classical concert to know what it feels like watching Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia breathing life into the flute? And have you ever witnessed the play of pure �spontaneity' when Zakir Hussain is absorbed in his world of rhythm and beats? For most, the answer is still a �No' – till the time this continues, classical music will remain �niche'. Period.
Today, classical music faces even a bigger challenge with the corporate mindset entering the entire music scenario – making it challenging for budding classical musicians who already have very limited opportunities and platforms to perform. In the past, there have been great contributors in musicians like Pt. Ravi Shankar who popularized Indian music in the west – he saw the opportunity when the west was absorbed in understanding the eastern sounds. Later, Zakir Hussain teamed with the guitar virtuoso John McLauglin to form Shakti which became a rage all over the globe. In the last few years, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia has been religiously working and teaching at �Gurukul' – his music school to keep the tradition alive.
Though these musicians have made remarkable contributions in spreading and popularizing Indian classical music, today, what comes in the way for most these musicians is the corporate dynamics. And certainly, no musician of repute would like to get involved considering the muddy politics the music business involves. Taking the helm on this frontier, Durga Jasraj has done a remarkable job – first, by starting a body like IMA (Indian Music Academy) that encourages budding classical musicians by teaming them with the legendary artistes for various concert series and for the needy musicians also provides support like medicals. In the past few years, the tempo of classical music has been up with concert series and concepts like Jalsa, Utsav, Tiranga, Cult Fusion and Golden Voice Golden Years. While Jalsa has travelled across the city, Utsav unfortunately did not see the light in India and only got aired in USA and UK and Australia.
For now, Durga Jasraj is working in her direction to help popularize the classical music, and at the same time incorporating the contemporary business approach. Perhaps, in coming days, this women might compel us to do �wah-wah's' for her – while still remaining at the backroom.