New generation of music maestros
Ravi Malhotra

WHOEVER thought that Indian classical music is dying, must think again. Over the past couple of years, a number of young, talented and, more importantly, committed vocalists and instrumentalists have emerged, determined to make India proud.

Many are sons and daughters of venerated maestros and living legends. While Anoushka is following in her illustrious father Ravi Shankar’s footsteps, Rakesh Chaurasia is taking the flute ahead from Hari Prasad and Rahul Sharma has taken on the mantle of santoor wizard Shiv Kumar.

Others not so well known yet, though no less promising young artistes include violinist N. Rajam’s daughter Sangeetha, mohan veena exponent Vishwa Mohan Bhatt’s son Salil and vocalist Lal Kishan Pandit’s daughter Meeta. For various reasons, they have kept a low profile and spurned publicity.

Then there are the prodigies who have come up on their own steam — tabla virtuosos Anuradha Pal and Mukundraj Deo, vocalists Sanjeev Abhyankar, Asha Parasnis and Devaki Pandit, flautist Rupak Kulkarni and so on. Sheer dedication and discipline have taken them to great heights of success.

But then, fame and fortune cannot be the only criteria for judging this new, emerging talent. How competent are these youngsters, is what eventually matters. Many have had an unfair deal, being compared to their highly accomplished parents. Some have been plain lucky. Where do they all actually stand?

Anoushka Shankar, for instance, is yet to grow out of her father’s shadow even as she has picked up the nuances of the sitar very well from him. She is also being compared to her late brother, Shubhendra Shankar, who was groomed by the formidable Annapoorna Devi, Ravi Shankar’s estranged wife.

Many believe that Anoushka’s acid test will be when she begins performing solo without Ravi Shankar around. There was some talk that she had gone off-key at a recent concert in Mumbai and, discernably so, in the few snatches she played solo. But then, being her father’s daughter, has already made Anoushka a star!

In sharp contrast, Rahul Sharma has cultivated a style distinct from his father’s highly lyrical and folksy compositions. Shiv Kumar practically introduced the santoor to the world and compared to his pioneering work, Rahul still has a long way to go.

But Rahul is already on the right track, having carved a niche for himself by composing the music tracks for Yash Chopra’s new film, Mujhse Dosti Karoge. Here is a boy who is prepared to go that extra mile. He is diversifying and experimenting, so that he is not compared directly with his father.

Among flautists, both Rakesh Chaurasia and Rupak Kulkarni are disciples of Hari Prasad Chaurasia. Whether it is classical, semi-classical, light or folk, they have adopted a flawless technique by virtue of a mature approach to their music.

While Rupak sticks to the classical and semi-classical genres and does considerable work for radio, Rakesh is providing accompaniment to many Hindi films and Indipop albums. Both admit it is tough to move out of their guru’s shadow. But they face no threat as their course is well charted out.

Likewise, Anuradha Pal makes no attempt to disguise her indebtedness to her guru, tabla wizard Alla Rakha. The other upcoming tabla star is Mukundraj Deo. Many senior artists swear by him as his playing epitomises everything that good accompaniment is all about.

Then there are the upcoming vocalists. While Asha Parasnis has made a name for her Khayal and bhajans (rendered in the Kirana style), Devki Pandit sticks to light and semi-classical numbers and Meeta Pandit, armed with a doctorate in music, is deep-rooted in the ashtang-gayaki tradition.

Among male singers, Sanjeev Abhyankar appears most promising. The national award he bagged last year for his bandish in the film, Godmother, could not have been more opportune. His melodious voice and effortless gayaki (of the Mewati school), make him a hot favourite in the concert circuit today. But then, like most others, he continues to be under the influence of his guru, Pandit Jasraj. MF