The 10th episode (2 parts) of MOPA’s series titled Explore features T Brinda (1912 – 1996), granddaughter of the famed musician Veena Dhanammal and a redoubtable artist who was looked upon with wonderment and reverence even by her contemporary musicians and who continues to be an icon for aspiring musicians to date. She made tradition her playground and breathed life into classical compositions, infusing each note and cadence with the fragrance of centuries-old heritage. Hers was a voice that had remarkable range, flexibility, clarity and weight, and a style marked by aesthetic vision and nuanced expression.
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.
In this episode of Explore, two talented and popular Carnatic musicians Vignesh Ishwar and Rithvik Raja navigate these questions using musical excerpts of T Brinda. They examine the musician’s approach to tonality, modulation, handling of composition as well as creative components, grammar and a host of related aspects and offer their own interpretations and observations. 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
Photographs/Audio Excerpts: from the collection of Rithvik Raja
Video filmed and edited by: Rithvik Raja
Produced by MOPA Foundation ©2021
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.