Anoushka Shankar - Anoushka

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Music reviews of Anoushka

Music Review: Reviewers' Tough Love Words Missing the Mark
Rating: 3 Stars

Both young women show promise, and over-exposure of an unmatured talent can negatively affect it... granted.

But the hostility here is merely so that "others" stop giving Anoushka and her music good ratings without having greater understanding of the process behind the music.

And yet... if the music moves someone who doesn't "understand"... well, then... it has still served its purpose, hasn't it? Music, like all art forms, like poetry and prose, cannot dictate who is allowed to enjoy or not enjoy. It is a two-way contract between giver and receiver. And if the receiver feels the magic, and has his or her emotions stirred, then the music (via the performer) has been true to its mission.

Soon, Raviji will be gone, and if Anoushka is serious about her music and the sitar, it will be reflected in her career. For now, her "light" sound could be a blessing for those not so versed in classical Hindustani music; they could grow with her! I would urge anyone intrigued by Anoushka to continue to explore. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan or Pandit Nikhil Banerjee would be great places to continue your 'education.'

It *should* be understood that young people cannot truly be "virtuosos" within this style of music... they simply lack the depth of experience and feeling to properly convey the nuances in the very complex musical forms. Perhaps this is why we see so many young stars in the West, where traditionally-popular music requires no such similar depth of expression.

But with Indian classical music, even more so than western-style classical music, that depth is critical to a trained listener's ear. In this style of music, not only something so subtle as the weather or time of day affects the raga, but the very mood and character of the performer. It goes without saying that the more seasoned the human being, the greater gift they will have to give to the music in this case.

I would say-- Do not be angry with her that she has been pushed by the machine. Be angry with her if someday she lets it ruin her chances to be a great sitar player. But wait... why be angry at all? It will have been her loss if she goes that road.

And one cannot control what others will think of Indian classical music or Indian culture; if they are interested, they will begin that journey. But coming to a public place and harshly criticizing a young person's dress and face, etc. shows any reader something about the person who is so judgmental.

Briefly: I won't hold it against one's *culture* if one chooses to be inflexibly unforgiving, or lacks tact and decent manners. However, I do hold the individual very responsible.

Om Shanti

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