Reigning Music

For vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar & Prof Arvind Dutt,it will always be classical

It’s the mind that sings,not the voice. Voice only creates noise whereas classical music trains and disciplines the mind…it’s not for manoranjan,but atmaranjan,” celebrated vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar from Pune voices her Guru’s words. “Swar-pradhan,that’s what classical music is unlike the commercial or western music which is shabd-pradhan,” says Arati. In town for ‘Malharotsava’ featuring her and Prof Arvind Dutt,Arati’s recognized as one of the top vocalists of the younger generation. She started her training with veteran Late Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni of the Agra Gwalior gharanas,followed by lessons from Gana Saraswati Kishori Amonkar of the Jaipur Atrauli gharana,Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar,and currently,Pandit Dinkar Kaikini. “I’ll always be a student for there’s so much to learn from life itself,” she smiles,as much at ease with Abba and Saturday Night Fever,giving the playback for Sardari Begum as all the raagas. “The Indian classical music has a subtler form,and that’s what makes it more challenging. Those who’ve received training in it can sing any range,” Arati is of the firm view that the classical spirit is alive and singing. Bengal,Maharashtra,Kerala,Karnataka,Bangalore…the places are thriving with artists,she says. Yes,over the years classical music has succumbed to dilution. “Everything has become saleable,but whenever you walk into a music store,the section on classical music will have its dedicated followers,and that percentage never changes for this music is for the classes,and not the masses,” she apologizes for being blunt. “That can also be attributed to the impact music has on our psyche. Classical is therapeutic for the raagas have a scientific base,and a 13th century scholar,Pandit Sharan Dev has researched into it. The frequencies,the tone,the texture,the modulation is all so pleasing that it calms the nerves,” chips in Prof Dutt adding how Raaga Malhar has the same effect. “Malhar stands for cleanliness,washing the environment clean…it’s a shudh swar which stands for pavitra vatavaran,love and longing in the rainy season,” such is the beauty of the raaga…