“Raga On” Anyone?

“Rock On” seemed to have become a cult movie already within days of its release. The Monday late-night show in the neighbourhood multiplex (which usually isn’t jam-packed on a weekday) was proof enough that the curiosity had got the better of me & despite a tiring work day, I went on to see what all those rave reviews were about.

I couldn’t agree more to the fact that the movie managed to blend its soundtrack perfectly with the story, without any one overpowering the other. Now I’ve never been a rock fan, but my musical sense thoroughly enjoyed the rock tracks, at least in the context of the movie. What, however, impressed me more was the sincerity of the characters! Each performance in the film was first-grade and I can bet that this is what will keep the movie going. What stood out for me were the performances by Luke Kenny and Prachi Desai.

Luke’s Rob is perhaps the most understated of all the characters. He doesn’t have a wife or a romantic inclination and compared to the opportunities Farhan or Arjun had to show their prowess, Luke’s canvas was limited. And yet he not only stood on his own, his portrayal of a man passionately in love with his music and friends was endearing. Just watch him in the scene when he receives a call from KD (Purab). His eyes light up, his voice can’t contain the excitement and the ecstasy of a long-lost friend calling makes him rush to the balcony. It’s a brief moment, but one that shimmers.

Another one is Prachi trying to sing “Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh” – the hesitation, the innocence and the rough edges of her voice used to great effect! She brilliantly manages to bring forth her character, that of a dedicated wife who finally begins to understand her husband and his dreams, through this moment.

 (I will now completely digress from what I started with.) 

It was also this particular scene that got me thinking of why Indian Classical Music doesn’t bring about the same passion as Rock Music does. My guess is that the houseful multiplex would have been devoid of an audience had a similar film with Hindustani music as the theme been shown. I’m not trying to put any genre of music above the other. What follows are just some observations from someone who doesn’t get to hear too much of his musical taste in the public domain.

Though even in new age Bollywood, some songs are inspired by Shastriya Sangeet, the brilliance of our musical heritage is limited to a Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas or Mahesh Dattani’s Morning Raga (albeit it was more fusion than pure classical). I was looking forward to Jodha Akbar to recreate the Tansen era in its full musical grandeur. However despite good songs, it was a far cry from the expectations a classical music fan would have had from it.

I do not entirely blame the Bollywood fraternity from shying away from embracing classical music in a big way. They deliver what the public wants. I’m often surprised how very few Indians enjoy a classical raga-based bandish or a thumri. Most of the people around me think of classical music as a musical affliction, consider the case in point.

DD Bharati is Doordarshan’s endeavour to promote Indian heritage and, once in a while, it does beam some really good archival recordings of Classical stalwarts. But the channel is lost in obscurity in the sea of MTV’s and Channel V’s. And when I switch on this channel in the presence of family or friends, I get responses ranging to shock to repulsiveness and in almost all cases I have to flip the channel.

There have been attempts where popular artistes have tried their hand at trying to blend classical with popular music such as Shubha Mudgal, Pohankar father-son duo (Piya Bawari) or the recent “Classically Mild” album by Sonu Nigam. The success has not been overwhelming; in case of Sonu it was a let down, and this perhaps explains why such initiatives are far and few.

Organizations such as SPIC-MACAY have been doing their bit by conducting classical concerts, even though largely concentrated in metro cities like Delhi. At one such concert where Kishori Amonkar performed, I was amazed to an impressive crowd turn up. It was one of the few moments when I realized that I am not alone in my love for Hindustani Classical. But I had my sister along with me, whose stolid behaviour constantly reminded me otherwise. Perhaps Kishori ji read her mind when rebuked the audience, who were also getting fidgety towards the end of the hour long performance, that these days people were lacking the discipline while attending a concert.

I’m not sure if like the cyclical nature of all things, we would ever get back to roots of our muscial traditions. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a “Raga On” meeting with the success of “Rock On” and winning the adulation of a progressing India.