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Maninder Singh,a student of Computer Science Engineering and a classical music vocalist,turns poetic as he explains the trend,“Classical music still rocks because it touches the soul and makes the heart soar,taking the mind and body to a completely different time and place.” Gursharan Singh,a student of Panjab University ,is pursuing MA in Music: “It’s elevating and liberating,and what better than to absorb it in its purest form,” says Singh.

These budding musicians,however,don’t follow tradition in riyaaz and attire blindly,they bring a bit of their individual style into the classical idiom. “Times have changed and it’s talent that matters the most,not the clothes or the setting,” feels Adamya,Singh’s classmate at Panjab University . He is open-minded about classical musicians performing in jeans and skirts. “As long as it doesn’t affect your performance,all is well,” says Adamya. However,Naval Pandit has a different opinion: “Practising and singing ragas requires one to sit in a certain way,which may be uncomfortable while wearing western clothes. But with the changing scenario and experimentation,dressing casually is okay as long as there is devotion,consistency and riyaaz ,” says Pandit,another postgraduate student of Music in PU and the first to top in classical music in his family.

Smita Bahuguna,head of Music department at Dev Samaj College for Women,says,“It is a tendency with the youth to follow western trends. And when the West started accepting classical music as the basis of all kinds of music,youngsters in India also started realising the importance of being attached to one’s culture and roots.” According to her,even reality shows like Indian Idol and Voice of India ,participants are given classical training though they are not all from the classical background.

Ratnika Tiwari,Head of the Music Department,GCG-11,says,“Reality shows provide a short term fame to participants,though they increase the confidence level by judging the superficial level of catching the right swar. Only a few of them,who have a classical background,reach the top. Classical music forms the grammar of music,so it has to be learnt before entering into this field.” She is optimistic about the future of classical music. “Despite the profusion of every kind of modern music,there is an overwhelming need for the traditional expression which is serene and relaxing.”