Journalism of Courage
With noted lyricist Gulzar and musicologist Ashok Ranade encouraging the initiative,the first ever three-day music festival Baajaa Gaajaa kicked off in the city
When he commenced to speak,his speech manifested the lyrics of his efficacious individuality to the music of silence interrupted occasionally by strident applauses. Wisdom replete with humor,and deliberation expressed through metaphors the connoisseur of vocal expressions,Gulzar,astounded the audiences. In the city to inaugurate,Baajaa Gaajaa 2009 a concept by Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan,the three-day festival includes exhibitions,concerts,film screenings,seminars and much more on music. Welcoming the effort,musicologist Ashok Ranade spoke on the need for assessing and accepting new traditions and deviations.
Citing his observations of the variations in music over the years,Ranade adds,Music is great when it has cultural significance and not merely because it sounds good. History is full of deviations,all artists deviate,but we should accept it only after examining if it is good,thus propagating a new tradition. Our tradition has taught us to cope with new ones. Classical music is only three percent of the total music that exists in the country and we must look at the totality. My gurus have always told me that you become a better artist when you listen to other artists and their music. No idea is the product of a single mind,all great ideas are products of exchange of several ideas.
Gulzar believes it is a necessity to introduce such workshops and movements in order for music to reach out to the audiences in its original form. Ranade adds,Music pampers our life and senses and hence we need to properly nurture it. Baajaa Gaajaa is a platform where one can get access to such a source to learn from and nurture. It is a good exposure and one must be keen to get the best out of it. Claiming to be learning still,for the two unmatched artistes,it seems there is no horizon which is too far; as they proceed,the horizon expands.
(Baajaa Gaajaa is being held at Ishanya Mall,Airport Road from February 6 to 8,10 am to 9.30 pm)
