Youngsters should learn Indian music first

Critically acclaimed Sarod player Atish Mukhopadhyay on Tuesday urged youngsters to learn the intricacies of Indian music before venturing out to accept western sounds.

Critically acclaimed Sarod player Atish Mukhopadhyay on Tuesday urged youngsters to learn the intricacies of Indian music before venturing out to accept western sounds. A disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Aashish Khan and hailing from the Maihar Gharana,Mukhopadhyay was at the Panjab Universitys music department on Tuesday.

An empanelled musician with the Indian Council for Cultural relations (ICCR) and India World Cultural Forum (IWCF),Mukhopadhyay has performed the world over.I was introduced to classical music by my father. He loved music and wanted me to learn classical music. And,as I entered the field,I found myself being drawn towards it,with each passing day, the Sarod player said as he reminisced on his early days. I started playing the Sarod in 1985 and since then,the journey has been about discovering the wide expanse of music, he added.

On the lack of interest towards classical music among the younger generation,he said: There is lack of idolism. It is very important for one to have an idol. A student is inspired when he watches his teacher performing,it motivates him. But,I find that often,students have no one to guide them,there are no musicians.

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To tackle the problem,Mukhopadhyay wants universities and schools to conduct workshops,lectures and demonstrations for students. The Sarod maestro,who also doubles up as a music teacher,says one can never stop learning. For aspiring stage artistes,he has a suggestion: One must learn music for at least 7 to 10 years before stepping onto the stage as a performer.

On Tuesday,Mukhopadhyay played a number of fusion compositions of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan,with his team consisting of Rishi Ranjan on guitar,Pankaj Sharma on bass guitar,Gurdarshan Singh on Taus,Karamchand,Dr Mahendra Prased and Sarabjeet on Dholak,at the department.

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Youngsters should learn Indian music first

Critically acclaimed Sarod player Atish Mukhopadhyay on Tuesday urged youngsters to learn the intricacies of Indian music before venturing out to accept western sounds.

Youngsters should learn Indian music first