Explore the art of iconic Carnatic musicians l D K Pattammal l Let’s talk Carnatic l MOPA

MOPA presents episode 3 of the Explore series on D K Pattammal (1919 - 2009). Pattammal was the first woman musician from her orthodox community to venture into the predominantly male bastion of Carnatic music of the times and hold her own for nearly seven decades. Singing for the gramophone recording for Columbia Records, patriotic songs for the freedom struggle, lending her voice to films, and giving her first Carnatic performance In Madras at the age of 13, she was a self-made musician in an era and sphere where mentorship and patronage help build careers.
Is tradition set in stone? Is not change even within a musician’s lifetime in the natural order of things? Does custom or convention in musical practice have to be held sacrosanct at the cost of organic modification or adaptation? An artiste creates and modifies, subtly or otherwise, his or her style for several reasons - physical, emotional, intellectual, political or aesthetic. A stellar artiste preserves tradition not as a rigid, fossilized keepsake but as an intelligent amalgamation of inherited values as well as current inclinations.
MOPA presents Explore - a series of discussions between two young and admired Carnatic musicians, Rithvik Raja and Vignesh Ishwar, where they navigate these questions using recording excerpts of select musicians. They examine the musician’s approach to tonality, modulation, handling of composition and lyric as well as creative components (like alapana, neraval, tanam and kalpana swaram), grammar and a host of related aspects. They offer their own interpretations and observations based on what they have heard and analyzed. Every episode in this series promises a volley of insights into the musical style and technique of the musician being discussed. A treat for students, aspiring musicians, lay as well as experienced listeners.
These conversations are not intended to conclude, merely to present points to ponder.
Acknowledgements
Audio Excerpts: From the collection of Rithvik Raja
Photographs: The personal collection of Rithvik Raja, YACM Archives
Visual and Sound Editing: Rithvik Raja
Produced by MOPA Foundation ©2021
All text, photos, images and other data contained in this episode are copyright 2021 of the Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA) Foundation. The same is intended for personal or educational use only and may not be used in any commercial form without prior written permission.

[@shanthip3987]

Very informative and interesting!!!

[@kvchellappa1]

Nice from both esp. from Rithwik Raja who brings out various facets in choice words.

[@atmaninmusic]

Good show. Kind request to these youngsters. Please wear your vibhuti or namam on your forehead. You are all not only torch bearers of music but also carriers of our culture and the deep meaning buried in these practices

[@krishnakumarts123]

These are wokes / neo Liberals and are trying to assess / analyse people who are in a different plane. Kids trying