'Music, in all its manifestations, is a dynamic phenomenon', says Jalandhar-based sitar player Manu Kumar Seen

SD Sharma

Music, in all its manifestations, is a dynamic phenomenon, which grows with the growth of life, feels Jalandhar-based sitar maestro, Pandit Manu Kumar Seen. A top grade artiste of the All-India Radio, Seen was initiated into classical vocal music and tabla by his illustrious father Lachhman Singh Seen, the torch-bearer of the Punjab gharana of tabla. Seen Jr mastered the nuances and techniques of the sitar under the tutelage of Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan from the Etawah gharana.

Seen shares his journey and his observations on the classical music scene in North India with Lifestyle Tribune…

Emergence of an artist

Recalling his maiden tabla performance at Harivallabh Yuva Sangeet Sammelan in 1982, Seen says he won the competition. He repeated his tradition of excellence by winning the same in 1983, not as tabla player but as a sitar player.

“I have participated in all prestigious music festivals in India also in the UK, USA, Canada and Indonesia,” he says.

Credited with about 10 music albums, Seen claims to have invented two ragas — Madhuranjani and Brijeshwarikauns.

A great sammelan

According to Seen, artistes and art lovers of India, especially from the North, are indebted to Saint Harivallabh, in whose honour Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan was initiated way back in 1875 at Debi Talab, Jalandhar. The annual event later earned the distinction of a national festival of classical music. The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, had attended the Sammelan in 1919.

Guru-shishya tradition

“Unlike other subjects, music can be best learnt through the disciplined, dedicated and blessed tutelage of a guru, who intuitively realises the aesthetic calibre of his disciple, awakens his dormant abilities and grooms him. I was indeed lucky to be born in a reputed musical family and raised amidst soulful strains of sitar and soft rhythmic spells of tabla,” he says.

Less opportunities

“Despite the mushrooming of music departments in colleges and universities, there are not many takers for music as a subject for the reason that employment opportunities are few. Talented students opt for contemporary Western or Punjabi pop and reality shows, which comparatively ensure better dividends and instant fame, though short-lived.

But knowledge of classical music makes the perfect base. My son Rishab Seen, a classically trained musician, has a band called Sitar Metal Band. They perform worldwide. Recently, Rishabh performed with Bollywood singing icon Arijit Singh,” says Seen.