Apr 29, 2003 12:57 PM
3366 Views
(Updated Apr 29, 2003 12:58 PM)
I never knew that there could be musical bimbos in Indian Classical Music. Now I know better!
Let me be a bit immodest - I have a fair knowledge of Hindustani music. I am a sitar player myself and Im still learning. I have heard all the greats of Sitar - Vilayat Khan, Ravi Shankar, Imrat Khan etc. I have also heard and seen innumerable lesser-knowns who have very good talent but unfortunately do not have the means to rise up into the spotlight.
And then there are the privileged Anoushkas of this world. Children born to famous fathers, who get tremendous push and lift into the spotlight but are too un-talented to hold on to it.
Ravi Shankar, besides being a good musician was also a great promoter of Indian Music abroad. He has single handedly created a market for India Classical Music abroad, and for himself as well. His promotional skills have again come to the fore in promoting his daughter. Where he succeeded in promoting himself he has failed in the case of his daughter - because he has stuff and talent and his daughter doesnt. So even with all the hype about join concerts at famous venues (like the Royal Albert Hall, London) and album promotions by George Harrisions, Anoushka fails to dazzle.
Her claims to fame are everything else except music - famous father, love child, film-acting flings, piano fiddling, Norah Jones for a half sister, etc. And what do her publicity reviews of her concerts always speak of? - her hair-do, her dress, her smile, the way she holds her Sitar, her heritage(!), the stage setting, her daintiness, etc. Have any of you ever read a review about her 'music'? I haven't.
Have any of you ever seen an India classical music album cover without the names of the Raagas? You see Anoushkas huge face and nothing else. The Raagas are mentioned at the back for detail's sake along! I think it says ''all peices composed by Ravi Shankar''.!
Some stuff please Anoushka. Show us some real Raag. In music parlance - we want Alaap, Jod, Jhaala, Gat and Jhala. What do you know about your raags? Where do you stand in comparison with the upcoming Sitar players like Shahid Parvez, Nishat Khan and Niladri Kumar?
