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Music |
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The
learning of vocal or instrumental music in our part of the world
has always been a one-to-one process. The teacher, the Ustad,
in addition to being a music teacher and expert in the discipline
of music, is also the arbiter of the musical taste of the pupil.
The transmission has always been oral; The Ustad sang or played
an instrument and the Shagird (the pupil) learned by listening
and repeating the phrases. The pupil heard various renditions
of a particular raga. He was initiated and instructed over a
number of years into the rules of a particular raga, and was
not allowed to move on until he had 'absorbed' the Raga, to
the satisfaction of the Ustad.
The great "Gharanas" of music are no longer intact.
Also, due to socio- economic reasons, the hereditary system
has given way to a more democratic transmission. Family allegiances,
traditionally inviolable, have been sidelined. Today the learning
of music of any "Gharana" is not restrictive. "Gharanas"
are now discussed and proclaimed as indicators of musical and
performing styles. It is not uncommon these days for the learner
of music to mix various styles, a practice once considered sacrilegious.
(Oddly enough, this does not denigrate the value of music).Radio,
television, CDs and other sources have also provided us with
an extended scope for music learning and appreciation.
In an institutional set-up the extent of exposure available
to a student of music is much wider than in the traditional
one-to-one teacher student relationship. In NAPA the students
of music will derive benefit from being taught by a faculty
comprising practicing musicians, musicologists and visiting
maestros. They will also have the opportunity to enrich their
repertoire of compositions and styles by tutelage under many
teachers.
It is wrong to assume that the lone singer, squatting on the
floor and entertaining an audience with Ghazals and Geets
has been overshadowed by the glamorously dressed pop singers
who strut upon the stage. The Ghazal Gyaki, enriched
beyond compare by the peerless Mehdi Hassan, has now become
enshrined as Pakistani music. It has it adherents everywhere.
It cannot be cast aside; the tradition must be carried forward.
You may be born with a spark, but the sparkle you require to
excel in your work can only be achieved by learning your craft.
Not everyone strumming a guitar can become a pop star. The shelf-life
of many of our pop star is short because they are not equipped
with the grounding needed to sustain their musical career. At
NAPA students who wish to practice 'pop' will also have the
benefit of occasionally being coached by some of the most experienced
'pop' stars.
It is foolish and myopic to condemn 'pop' music as an insidious
Western plot to corrupt our youth. Some of the best 'pop numbers
our musician have created are a delightful blend of traditional
and folk melodies set to electronic instruments, which have
now become a part of our musical ensemble. We cannot discard
them any more than we can discard the pizza and the burger from
our diet.
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