Where Music Dares

IF India is considered to be inadequate for musicians to experiment, this singer defies the norm. Shubha Mudgal, innovates, experiments and invents, constantly engulfing the ever increasing audience following in her musical world.
In the city to sing in the memory of classical veteran Pt CR Vyas at Chintamani Jayanti Samaroh, Mudgal talks fervently about the prevalent music scenario.
The lady who wore the crown of a classical diva and pop sensation simultaneously, is not one to mince words. “While experimenting, you can be rest assured that there will be at least a thousand problems before the end product reaches the people,� she vents out.
With a reputaion of experimenting with all music genres, be it classical or pop, her aim has always been to share music. “But the music companies these days make it very difficult for talented classical singers to reach out to people.
Indian companies are too concerned about the commercial angles of music. That’s why it’s easy to find a company promoting a Kaanta Laga,while real music goes neglected,� she laments.
Not one to be cowed down by the situation, Shubha, along with husband Aneesh, started a new website, which is a free platform for those artists who can’t sell their musical rights to any company. It boils down to sharing music, and giving almost all the sale proceedings to the artists.
“Incidentally, the first album we have published is a recording of my teacher, Pandit Ram Ashreya Jha,� she smiles.
For someone, who comes without any preconcieved labels, Mudgal explains the intricacies of music as she understands it. “I am so lucky to be from a background,where no one forced me to wear blinkers of pure classical or western.
Both my parents are academicians from Allahabad university, extremely active in music, theatre, literature and other art forms. My father made me do my riyaaz and bought me my first Beatles LP, in 60s,� she chuckles. Which explains her wide repertoire ranging from Ab Ke Saavan to her latest Kisson Ki Chaddar.
“Yes, Ab Ke Saavan was very spontaneous, which was new for me.The albums that followed have been equally satisfying. In Kisson Ki Chaddar, I have sung poems of Nivedita Joshi, a talented poet from Allahabad,� says Mudgal.
Right now, she is waiting for the day, when classical albums will top the charts and be heard by everyone.
sharvari.joshi@timesgroup.com