Musical mocktails

Last week, noted Hindustani vocalist Shubha Mudgal rendered a few numbers, the theme being the monsoon. The venue was a five-star hotel and the guest list read like a who8217;s who of Pune. Her renditions were par excellence and the magic that she recreated, in our hearts, was akin to the ambience of the mystical monsoon that encompasses the Sahyadri ranges in its glory. However, not all hearts were set for this mesmerising feast. Here, several hearts needed to be won through the stomach and, thus, I could hear whispered talk of when her programme would actually end, so that the party could begin, in right earnest.

Similarly, renowned singer and an integral part of Colonial Cousins, Hariharan, was invited to sing live last year for a very special party thrown in a stiff upper lip area of Pune, by a noted race-horse owner. I was quite excited, Hariharan being my very favourite. The lush green, rectangular lawns had a stage ready for him and in the first few rows, it was the baithak arrangement for those who wanted to have a ringside view of Hariharan. Otherwise, tables and chairs were laid out beside the attractive bar and multi-spread cuisine. Here too, eat, drink and be merry seemed to be the theme, as barring a handful, no one was interested in occupying the baithak area. Worse, hardly anyone was paying attention to his renditions.

If they did, it was a secondary pursuit, as if an audio tape was being played in the background. Sadly, in the cacophony of the chatter of voices and clinking of the glasses, the mellifluous voice of one of India8217;s great artistes faded into oblivion.

I remember the ire of a leading ghazal singer who performed live at a leading five-star hotel in Pune about three-four years back, when he was distressed with the disturbance caused by the audience, who kept pacing up and down to refill their drinks. Ever since, the bar is kept closed during such programmes. Also, since being punctual is generally considered below one8217;s dignity or downright unfashionable in this country of ours, these great artistes often get distracted with movement8217; all the time, which impacts their performance.

There8217;s surely an urgent need for introspection, respect for a performer being the primary consideration. A chance to savour the music of an accomplished artiste should motivate one to attend these performances, not the opportunity to indulge oneself with some exciting cuisine. After all, here8217;s a legend in front of you not just an ordinary crooner.

Has the overdose of entertainment channels at home, where music is bombarded at us non-stop, dulled the glitter of a live performance and a renowned artiste? And have Shakespeare8217;s famous words, 8220;if music be the food of love, play on8230;8221; faded into thin air?