Let's Talk CarnaticBack

This series covers interviews, talks, presentations, lecture-demonstrations and conversations on all things related to Carnatic music.

Explore

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/presentations between young and noted Carnatic musicians, where they navigate these questions using recording excerpts of select musicians. They examine a particular 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.

Reviews

- Shekhar Iyer

The two young men have done a terrific job of analyzing, internalizing and describing the incredible musical contributions of the great GNB. In fact, this is easily the most organized presentation of GNB’s merits I have come across; all the senior musicians who have been influenced or impressed or inspired by GNB, can take a leaf out of these budding musicians’ wholesome effort and do greater justice for having been exposed to the rare & unique genius of GNB.

- Manjula Surendra

Thanks to MOPA for a beautifully scripted show, presented with elan! Looking forward to more such engaging episodes.

- RK Ramanathan

A wonderful presentation. My Congratulations to both Vignesh & Rithivk for a very detailed analysis with recordings to support. A sincere thanks to MOPA for this very informative series

- Jennifer Gopinath

Brilliant idea, you are educating the masses actually, by compiling & exposing the wealth of information about India’s best!

A wonderful presentation. My Congratulations to both Vignesh & Rithivk for a very detailed analysis with recordings to support. A sincere Thanks to MOPA for this very informative LEC DEM.

Brilliant idea, you are educating the masses,actually, by compiling & exposing the wealth of info about India’s best!

Thanks to MOPA for a beautifully scripted show, presented with elan! Looking forward to more such engaging episodes.

The two young men have done a terrific job of analyzing, internalizing and describing the incredible musical contributions of the great GNB. In fact, this is easily the most organized presentation of GNB’s merits I have come across...

This is an absolutely brilliant series! Thank you so much for giving us a musicians view of these legends.

In this age of monetizing every aspect of the concert, special thanks to MOPA for organizing and editing this entire series, all for free to the rasikas.