Writings
Rasrang
For some time I used to write a column for the Rasrang magazine section of Dainik Bhaskar. This is one of the pieces I wrote for Rasrang several years ago. भारत में संगीत अथवा नृत्य का कार्यक्रम हो और श्रोताओं या दर्शकों को आरम्भ...
Women Composers
Why are there very few women composers in India? This stock question, frequently asked of women musicians, comes loaded with the suggestion of a gender bias tilted in favor of male composers. There is no simple answer to the question, but to begin with, it...
Cross Border
At the risk of being termed the proverbial party pooper, I do believe now is the time to point out that despite all the flutter and fuss preceding and following Mr. Zardari’s visit to India, artistes and musicians from the two countries share a relationship...
The Impact of Globalization on Performing Arts in India
Changing trends in the performing arts rarely manifest themselves with dramatic abruptness. More often than not, they creep up silently, diverting the flow of continuing traditions and practices stealthily but resolutely. As the relentless tidal wave of globalization swept across the world in the last...
A response to Arindam Mukherjee’s “Heir Gloom”
Last month, out of the blue, the media came up with a pleasant surprise for classical musicians. Outlook (Issue dated September 25, 2006) featured “Heir Gloom”, a cover story on Indian classical music, a subject shunned by most Indian publications on the grounds that readers...
Look what they’ve done to “Ali More Angana”
Do you remember “Ali More Angana”? For those who dont, its an Indipop album I recorded in 1996 and the title track became both popular and controversial, if the media is to be believed. I wont discuss the controversy if indeed any existed, but just...
Chak de phatte!
This article was first published in Tehelka. Chak de phatte!!! It’s a virtual “let’s have a blast†slogan that you’ll hear ever so often in the ‘bhangra-with-the beat’ music that steadfastly refuses to be defeated by the gloomy depths of despair from which the Indian...
Gaanewale, Bajaanewale, Khaanewale
This article was first published in the Times of India, Mumbai in 2003. This has been a difficult and violent year for India, with communal violence and terrorist strikes taking centre stage. Perhaps that is why not many have noticed that despite a lot of...
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