NAVYA C
Usage of Legendary Compositions in Popular Music- Is it Correct ?
Carnatic Music is inherently present in every household , and become a culturally significant aspect in India and even at global arena as well . Whether a family hails from a musical background or not , the influence of Carnatic Music creeps into every household with its suave aspects , melodious feels and lyrical brilliance . The greatest form of music is part of every happy and sad milestones including birth and leading to death . Out of some millions of brilliant compositions penned by legendary composers , some compositions have become a tad even popular because of its instant lyrics , tune and appeal .
As a result , popular and film music composers adapt some of the songs from these popular compositions such as Yendaro Mahanubhavulu ( Sri Raaga ), Marugelara
O Raghava ( Jayanthasri Raaga ),
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Saamajavaragamana ( Hindolam ), Bantu Reeti Koluvu ( Hamsanaadam ) in film scenarios . While these improvised versions are beautiful to listen to , some of the music critics think otherwise . The musical connoisseurs feel that adaptation of these compositions may not be entirely suitable for a film related scenarios for various reasons :
1 . The composer ’ s intent behind writing a composition such as Samajavaragamana was to hail his deity Lord Rama . But in the film perspective ( Telugu film Ala Vaikuntapuramlo ) , the scenario is being changed to romance instead . This particular aspect has been heavily criticized because the Carnatic Music ’ s compositions have a certain sanctity to it and it shouldn ’ t be applied in random scenarios .
2 . Some Indipop composers such as Colonial Cousins ( Hariharan and Leslie Lewis ) taken up Krishna Nee Begane Baro ( Yaman Kalyan Raag ) and made a fantastic masterpiece in fusion style . In fact , this brought more popularity towards the composition . This adaptation doesn ’ t tamper with the original theme of the composition ( devotion of Lord
Krishna ) and this brilliant duo brought the universal harmony aspect to it- thereby leading to a masterpiece . Such scenarios in usage of legendary compositions is a good step .
3 . The influence of Carnatic Music on film / Indipop music is inescapable and that can be understandable . However , the lyricists go a step ahead by tampering the purity of the words used by the original composer . This has been heavily criticized by the listeners as well as music experts . In short , it is even called a horrible blasphemy .
As they say , inspiration is quite different from imitation- but it cannot be used for Carnatic Music which is known as a pristine form of music . While the idea of experimentation and innovation is welcomed , it must be confined to digging into raaga experimenting and usage of contemporary and novel themes . To conclude , adaptation of Carnatic Musical themes might be a novel idea to get into film music / Indipop / Contemporary Rock , but the inspiration must be stopped at the versatility of the melodic structure and the usage of lyrics .