|
MTVIndia:
Anindoji, what made you take up the Tabla over any other
instrument?
Pt. Anindo: As a child, I went around beating things around
the house. This probably made my parents think that I had fancied
rhythm and therefore I started on my Tabla training.
MTVIndia:
In an age where people demand pop music, where does the future of
classical music seem to be heading?
Pt. Anindo: Demand for pop music is tremendous because it
is pop music. Classical music may not exactly be popular with
today’s young audience today simply because there are very few
agencies trying to promote it. We need to instil a liking for
classical music through more effort.
MTVIndia:
And how do you suggest we do that?
Pt. Anindo: Spic Macay (an NGO that promotes Indian culture
and tradition) has been doing a lot of work for awareness of
classical music amongst youngsters. I think we need to have more
agencies like that to sustain this movement.
MTVIndia:
Tabla has become an instrument to reckon with worldwide. Do you
attribute that to the glamour that Ustad Zakir Hussain has
attached to it?
Pt. Anindo: Zakir Hussain has done well for the instrument,
which is normally seen only as an accompaniment. I am glad he has
the media attention focussed on this instrument that can be very
enchanting if it wants to.
MTVIndia:
But does that not take away the limelight from artistes of high
calibre such as you?
Pt. Anindo: The media attention that Zakir gets is because
of a special trait he possesses. He has a way of holding his
audience - he can command their attention.
I do not think that is bad at all. If it is bringing fame to the
revered instrument, why should these things bother me?
MTVIndia:
Everyone is talking fusion music today. What are your views on it?
Pt. Anindo: Fusion music is a good thing. I have dabbled in
it myself.
It provides for widening of one’s musical experience and lets
you experiment which is very important to keep the world of music
moving.
MTVIndia:
But a lot of music is passed off as ‘Fusion’ or ‘World
Music’. How do you decide what is good and what is not?
Pt. Anindo: All instruments may not necessary gel together.
For example, the Cello and the Sarod just cannot gel
because of the nature of the sounds they produce. This music will
sound funny, like it has been forcibly glued together and
therefore cannot classify as bad music. It loses all harmony and
therefore cannot be termed as music.
Humble beyond words
and talented to the core,
we couldn’t help notice a long line of admirers waiting to speak
to him.
So we let the Pandit charm them with his warm smile and unassuming
grace.
|
