Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on September 5, 2013
Indigenous Tube
A fortnight into its launch,Indias first television channel dedicated to classical-based music seeks to reach a wide audience comprising purists as well as music lovers
3 min read
The story goes among legendary musicians that Ustad Abdul Karim Khan of the Kirana gharana had a pet dog. When he would sit down for practice,the dog would be tied in one corner. Over time,the pet also internalised the music that echoed in the house. So as the vocalist would render the first note sa,the dog would also reciprocate in the same raga and the practice would continue. Little-known anecdotes such as these are among the treasures that intersperse the flow of rich music aired on the countrys first channel dedicated to classical-based music InSync. The brainchild of renowned violinist Ratish Tagde,the channel which went on air on August 15,covers music genres ranging from Hindustani classical to Sufi,ghazals,folk,fusion and even old Bollywood songs with roots in classical music.
Our classical music is celebrated the world over because it deals with the internal state of being the chakras. Yet no efforts were made to preserve it on a platform that would ensure that it lasts for at least another 100 years. We want to change that record, says Tagde.
The violinist likes to pitch it as a non-film-song channel. Far from restricting our scope,it opens up so many avenues, he says. Airing works of maestros such as Pandit Shivkumar Sharma,Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia,Ustad Zakir Hussain,Pandit Vijay Ghate,Shankar Mahadevan,Sivamani and Hariharan,the channel will gradually venture into including Western classical music too. The content will develop over time, he says.
If classical music has long been considered a niche and elusive genre for the masses,Indian musicians hope the channel will change that idea. There are two kinds of audiences purists and music lovers. While the first category will anyway enjoy classical music,we want to particularly reach the second category and convert them. Every song aired is defined by ragas and we give information about the ragas and the instruments used in the song. It will teach music lovers to appreciate classical sounds, says Tagde,in whose mind the idea for the channel had been brewing over the years and who has consulted veteran musicians such as Chaurasia,Hussain and Sharma about it.
Tagde knows the responsibility of projecting and propagating classical music is immense. I know music since I have been playing myself,so I also know what kind of music should go on air. Musicians trust my judgment and have been willing to come on board with me. They have taken ownership of the channel and freely give advice on the content,presentation and approach, he says.
Manish Rach,Director Distribution,adds that within a fortnight of its launch,the channel is already drawing a lot of response.
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