“ Guru Leka Yetuvanti Guniki Teliyakapodhu ”( -Translation-Without the guidance of guru , a student cannot understand which path to take ) was the most popular kriti compose by Saint Thyagaraja , one of the celebrated vaaggeyakaras in Carnatic Music . The single line itself says the importance of guru in the musical progress of a disciple . No matter how much of expertise the disciple gains from the guru- the guru comes first . The student should always have the deep sense of surrender and gratitude towards the guru who taught the compositions and chiseled the non-music student to a stage artist .
Historically speaking , India never had the concept of prints or books to follow music or any form of art-in particular . It was written in taalapatras ( papers made of papayrus scrolls ) in which many were lost over the centuries . Indian Music always followed the face-to-face learning from the guru and sishya . In fact , this is a greatest tradition in the world which followed for Indian Classical Music .
Interestingly , ear training is one of the crucial aspects of not just Indian Classical Music but also Western Classical Music . While western classical music doesn ’ t show much importance to guru sishya Parampara that includes surrendering to the guru , felicitating the guru on auspicious days ( Guru Pournami and Navaratri in some cultures ), it is the most important aspect when it comes to learn Indian Classical Music . The student has to be obedient towards the guru and strictly follow the instructions given . Without the guru ’ s experience and inputs , the artist would not know where to start get stuck in the cross roads . This is the reason why Sanskrit texts says ”
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwaraha Guru Sakshtath Parabrahma Tasmaisree Guravenamaha
Which means , guru is the divine creator , the ultimate hindu God Vishnu and it is mandatory to surrender to the guru to learn Indian Classical music . The bond between Guru and his / her sishya goes on for lifetime .
An interesting fact and tradition that follows between guru-shishya Parampara is , in the ghana raga pancharatna kritis , the four kriti “ Kana Kana Ruchira ” is not taught by the guru directly to the student because it is believed that teaching the kriti will break the bonding between the guru and sishya . It is the one and only kriti that has to be learnt by the shishya by their own . Call it superstition or strong belief , guru-shishya paramapara is a boon for Indians and it is highly commendable that still the bonding is going for generations and generations .
It is also believed that while guru teacher the sishya in person , the musical strength and vibes are directly transferred to the shishya sub-consciously . That is why guru is held in high regard in India and kept in the highest level of respect not only by the sishyas but also many generations to come .
Surrendering completely to the guru will not only give knowledge to the sishya but spiritual power that is beyond art alone . It is beyond human existence and will pass on for centuries in the coming centuries .
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