MOPA presents episode 5 of the Explore series on Carnatic musician M L Vasanthakumari (1928 – 1990). The immediate association that this name brings up is a vocal style marked by flair, flamboyance and ease. Her music had a teasing playfulness that hid great depth and knowledge. She was known for her adventurous spirit that made her steer her concerts in a charmingly impromptu manner, yet never losing sight of the boundaries of tradition and grammar.
Is tradition set in stone? Is not change even within a musician’s lifetime in the natural order of things? Does custom or convention in musical practice have to be held sacrosanct at the cost of organic modification or adaptation? An artiste creates and modifies, subtly or otherwise, his or her style for several reasons – physical, emotional, intellectual, political or aesthetic. A stellar artiste preserves tradition not as a rigid, fossilized keepsake but as an intelligent amalgamation of inherited values as well as current inclinations.
This episode 5 of Explore is a discussion between two young and lauded Carnatic musicians, Bharat Sundar and Ashwath Narayanan, where they navigate these questions using recording excerpts of select musicians. They examine the musician’s approach to tonality, modulation, handling of composition and lyric as well as creative components (like alapana, neraval, tanam and kalpanaswaram), grammar and a host of related aspects. They offer their own interpretations and observations based on what they have heard and analysed. Every episode in this series promises a volley of insights into the musical style and technique of the musician being discussed. A treat for students, aspiring musicians, lay as well as experienced listeners.
These conversations are not intended to conclude, merely to present points to ponder.
Acknowledgements
Audio Excerpts: From the collection of Bharat Sundar, Ashwath Narayanan and select YouTube videos
Photographs: From the MOPA archives and the net.
Visual and Sound Editing, Subtitles: Bharat Sundar and Ashwath Narayanan
Produced by MOPA Foundation ©2022
This episode and its contents are intended for personal or educational use only and may not be used in any commercial form without prior written permission.