The Score Magazine January 2023 issue! January 2023 issue | Page 32

SOUVIK CHAKRABORTY
SOUVIK CHAKRABORTY

Attending Classical Concerts This Winter , Check this Out !

The world of music is ever so fascinating , humans across generations have found their own expressions to experience it in its purest forms . Winter brings with it , the opportunities to experience wonderful musical performances across the world . In India , classical concerts have been known for enthralling the audience for long hours without a break . And , now it is the season of music , again .
In the era of head-bobbing music and cacophonic beat breaks , it is sometimes , difficult to appreciate the permeating essence of classical Hindustani music . The “ slowness ” and the apparent lack of momentum in the lyrics or tune , make it a dull affair for a few . However , if one gets to the core of the etiquette and grammar of appreciating this music , it becomes really fun .
One can literally re-discover their tastes and inclination toward profound and meaningful words and rhythm . The classical music of our lands , from time immemorial , has been participatory in nature , this means that the audience always made sure that the musicians understand the feedback behind the performance . It was customary for the rulers and the kings of the past eras to give away gold rings , garlands , and even land or other assets as a token of appreciation . Music was believed to have raised fire , invoked rain , and believed to have inflamed hearts across the courts . As musicians performed ,
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32 highonscore . com it was customary for the listeners to shower them with their appreciation . It was considered a and the nature of songs , while

ONE STRING FOR THE DIVINE CONNECTION

great achievement to be received with such fervor in a court .
With time , we graduated to the “ Waah Wahi ” culture of Lucknow , Delhi , and other North Indian gharanas . “ Kya baat hai ”, “ Sabaash ” and “ aha ” were typical responses , that were considered to be the medals of honor . Now , for the etiquette and the standard procedures , every classical singer can have a different request .
To start off with the basics , audiences are often asked to not clap between performances . As this could lead to sudden disruption in the trance-like flow of the night . This might also result in the break of the movements , that the artist has planned in between the songs . However , many classical artists have voted against this concept and they vehemently encourage the audience to participate in the music . It is only fair enough to consider that they expect to be showered with cash while they perform . They expect to be ushered to a new world of communication , where the player and the act of playing are so intertwined that it all becomes an experience to be cherished in the rawest form . The audience is encouraged to be immersed and completely swayed by the radiance of the songs that are being performed . In such instances , the vibrations reflect the euphoria and the hysteria around the enigma of the music .
The mannerisms in the audience vary from different age groups
indie folk has a distinctive appeal , traditional folk classical derives a different appreciation regime altogether . In this , the artist is a devotee of philosophy and it ’ s a philosopher songwriter . It is expected that the audience will shut their eyes and sway to the pulse of the artist . It seems that such music has healing powers for the audience as well . It is expected that the music will also have healing powers for the listeners . Musicians expect a kind of singalong along with submission to the cause and underlying faith or philosophy of such music .
Classical music and the entire arena is a space where the mind drifts in search of a deeper meaning for the soul through music . It requires a different kind of energy and appreciation . However , some regulations are not so high-headed . Sometimes , it seems appalling that the etiquettes for music concerts have to even include basic tenets like keeping the phone on silent or not talking , not coughing , or not yawning during the concert . We have given due honor to our western counterparts and musicians , it is time that we still paid heed to our past traditions and made an effort to dig deep and find the right way to listen to such music .