MOPA presents episode 4 of the Explore series on Madurai Mani Iyer (1912 – 1968). His music, while not just a product of heritage, seems to have stemmed from his ability deliver his music with an ear to the ground, a unique quality that made him a ‘people’s and pundit’s musician’ who held sway over the scholar and novice with the same force. Tales abound of overflowing audiences at his concerts which often spilled over midnight, and of rickshaw-wallahs (passenger cart pullers) so drawn to his music that they would refuse passengers till the end of his concert. He was one of the musicians of his era largely responsible for bringing Carnatic music to the masses, and his ability to attract uninitiated listeners to this genre remains undiminished, even five decades after his demise.
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.
MOPA presents Explore – a series of discussions between two young and admired Carnatic musicians, Rithvik Raja and Vignesh Ishwar, 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 Rithvik Raja
Photographs: The personal collection of Rithvik Raja, YACM Archives
Visual and Sound Editing: Rithvik Raja
Produced by MOPA Foundation ©2021
All text, photos, images and other data contained in this episode are copyright 2021 of the Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA) Foundation. The same is intended for personal or educational use only and may not be used in any commercial form without prior written permission.