21
February 17
Selvakumar - And your career as a live singer ?
Devi - Since I have had this passion to dwell in the multiple genres of music and had opportunities to have travelled in many parts of the world , in remote places or small villages of North India , France and other parts of Europe . I also got opportunity to learn different genres under great legends all over the world including Hindustani Folk , Opera and Country music . As I was learning and working with them and the more I learnt about the multiple textures and genres around the world , one thing I realised was that the music is one . It takes different shapes , textures and colours in different parts of the world . I think Tyagaraja beautifully said that Shobillu saapta swara , sundarula bhajim pave manasa . ( sings ) So , these notes or swaras , takes so many millions of iterations . And I feel it is humanly impossible to taste these many textures in a lifetime . So I feel nothing is inferior or superior . Every genre has got its own soul . If you go near it , pay tribute and respect , you will surely experience the bliss of it .
Selvakumar - What would be your advice to the upcoming singers ?
21
Devi - In my academy , we do a lot of playback singing and reality show singing training . But there are people who have certain misconceptions about learing Carnatic or Hindustani or Film music . If they want to learn one , they don ’ t want to for others . Its simple and a matter of fact that , it depends on one ’ s way of carrying oneself if one wears a saree or a jeans . As a student , my quest or goal is to learn every genre at least 90 % of it . So , everyone should know that there is no one way to learn any music and be open to learn different and new things as each got its own music structure and production . If one abides by what each genre requires , I think one handle it very well .