Classical music does not need pop

PANDIT Hari Prasad Chaurasia is an internationally acclaimed flautist. He is a rare artiste with a perfect control over his instrument and a deep knowledge of classical music. His name is identified with the North Indian bamboo flute which he is responsible for popularising not only in India but also abroad. In his hands, the flute of green bamboo comes alive yielding to his whims and impulses in spontaneous submision. Surprisingly, he comes from a family which had no tradition of music. He wishes to pass on the tradition to anyone who will devote his time and life to this tradition. Lately he has opened three schools of music in three corners of the world. These schools are based on the age-old concept of gurukul, the concept of guru-shishya. In this interview with Ravi Ranjan about music and its present excerpts:

Of late, you have been so busy that you (together with Shiv Kumar Sharma) declined the offer of composing music for Yash Chopra’s last film Dil to Pagal Hai despite knowing that Yash Chopra always comes to you for the music of his films. What prompted you to say no to your close friend?

Ans: Yash is a very good friend of ours. After discussing at length, we reached the conclusion that our time could not be adjusted. On dates when he is free, I am in California or Germany. And on dates when Shiv and I are free, Yash had to put his finished material on the editing table as per schedule. You see, a film is a medium in which a producer has to coordinate with all the people involved in the process. So many people the Yash had to look for some other composer as he wanted to finish his film in a very limited time. I refused Dil To Pagal Hai because of time constraints. Why should not other people be given a chance.

What are you doing in Germany and California?

I am Artistic Director of Rotterdam Music University’s Department of Indian Music. It keeps me very busy, I have to spend about two to three months a year for it. In San Franscisco I have opened my own gurukul. Actually I have opened two other gurukuls in Mumbai and Hongkong. They keep me very busy.

What are you supposed to do as an Artistic Director of RM University?

In the university, we have students from all over the world. There are various departments of Rock, Jazz, classical music etc. I have to select students and assign them vocal groups — either vocal or instrumental of depending upon their interest and capabilities, I design their course and teach as well.

Human vocal chords develop according to the cultural environment of the region. Don’t think that to teach foreign students our classical music tradition is much more harder than training people of our own country?

Definitely. People from various countries have a different range. Some find it difficult to go to the upper range and some to lower octane. Even instruments have problems. Girls do not have the stamina to blow into the flute for a long time. Their fingers may not be long enough and sometimes they are so thin that they don’t cover the holes effectively and then the sounds are not effectively managed. One has limitations but there are many things in music which are universal. These common factors help in the learning process.

Do you keep an eye over the western tradition of music while teaching the intricacies of Indian classical music?

I encourage them to bring about effective variations in their musical concerts, blending western with English. I would not go for fusion. Fusion becomes adulteration and that is killing the spirit of both styles. I would prefer a variation keeping in the mind the two schools of music.

How are your gurukuls progressing?

There are about 100 students in all in these three gurukuls. They are learning music in the true spirit of guru-shishya parampara. I select students and do not charge any fees at all from them. Otherwise it will become a regular school, a commercial venture where whosoever can pay the fees takes admission. I do not want money to become the criterion because then students don’t have total faith in the teacher or Guru so the Guru must take care of their needs as he does of his own children. These are my adopted children and I love them as do my own.

Wouldn’t you charge any Gurudakshina as per the tradition of Guru-shishya parampara?

For gurudakshina want them to propagate whatever they imbibe. I would wish them to open more gurukuls and impart teaching to more and more children.

Recently a tradition of mixing pop with Indian classical is in vogue.

Musicians like Shubha Mudgal, Shafqat Ali Khan and late Nusrat Ali Khan have compromised with the purity of Indian classical music. What do you feel about this trend.

I am not in favour of classical and pop joining hands. Younger generation is doing disservice by adopting this. I feel if one needs to make a name for oneself one can offer something original. Kabir Das, Tulsi Das or Surdas were similar yet so different and so original. Kabir did not have to write in English to become popular, Mira did not take refuge in pop to be popular. Classical music does not require pop to make it appealing. It is like saying’ the sun should be made more attractive by lighting it with Bajaj tubes and bulbs, or Mount Everest be made more august by planting trees on it!

Do you think that Indian classical music is becoming more popular in the West than it is in India?

Classical music had become more popular in the West but now Indian youth is turning towards it. In my concert there are a lot of youngsters. Even today’s programme had small children who pestered their parents to come even on a Sunday which is generally a day of relaxation. The younger generation in India has realised that MTV is not enduring. It’s like you can have burger and pizza once in a while but your basic good remains the same.

Your own children have not carried away your tradition!

My children are my students. My own three sons had no inclination for music and I never forced them. They are now well settled in their profession with their families.

What about your wife?

My wife involved in the production of a serial called, Sadhana a music programme based on the lives of musical legends. It ran for 13 episodes and then Doordarshan decided to scrap it. Now she is making Swar Sandhya for Star TV. I mostly stay out and she gets bored alone, so she keeps herself busy.

Are you doing any film?

I am working for Yash Chopra’s next movie. His son Aditya did ask me but I told him, "Let us be with your father and you give a chance to others too." We will also be doing a film with K. Vishwanath. It’s a musical but detailed discussions have not taken place as yet.

You have your roots in classical, don’t you find film music distasteful?

Films music. That is also music, why should we not do it? If given the right theme I would definitely like to give music for films.

In the present scenario of war, would you like to perform in Pakistan?

I believe cultural exchange should continue. If invited with due respect, I will definitely go to Pakistan because I have faith in humanity. Compulsions of a different order which is making these men pick up guns. This is Kalyug. If you are given a pistol then for even a small problem you will take out the pistol. In adverse situation, people are being given money to kill and poor people find it easily to earn. There are only few people who are misguided. Should you become inhuman and uncultured just because a few are insane!

As far as Ravi Shankar is concerned, do you think that he was the right choice for Bharat Ratna?

Bharat Ratna was like an Indian equivalent of Nobel prize but with a horde of people getting it, it has lost its charm. What does the committee know of musical talent I feel broad based voting should be conducted where a musical institute of repute from each state should be involved. I have due regards for RaviJi. But Bismillah Khan saheb deserves it more than anyone else. He has brought such repute to shehnai which was only played during marriages and for many years he performed on every Republic Day sincerely and without a break. May be after him Raviji could have been honoured.

This feature was published on November 28, 1999