Carnatic music-Devotion

revanthv552 · Post by **revanthv552** » 25 Apr 2008, 22:14

I am a learner of Carnatic music.My age is sixteen.I have a small doubt.Most of the Carnatic compositions are on GOds and GOddesses.They are devotion based.CAn an authiest ever sing carnatic music with the same feel like that of a person who has devotion on God...??Is Devotion in music just enough?
Well, I feel a person who is an autheist may sing Carnatic music well..But his singing will lack something...
What do you all feel...??

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 25 Apr 2008, 22:21

Wow!

Music is universal and it goes beyond belief and devotion. You have opened a hornets nest.

tilt · Post by **tilt** » 26 Apr 2008, 02:11

Well, most Carnatic music as you mention relates to Gods and Goddesses, but remember they are all Hindu Gods.

To answer your question, does KJ Jesudas's being Christian take anything away from his carnatic music? He certainly does not necessarily "believe" in the same Gods Hindus generally do (with the exception of Ayyappan and Guruvayurappan) and therefore for the purpose of this argument ma be considered "atheist".

As VK Raman mentioned, music is universal. In fact you may even sing the alphabet or a nursery rhyme in the carnatic style and make a proper performance out of it.

This is one reason I prefer listening to instrumental music rather than vocal

Cheers

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 26 Apr 2008, 02:46

.I have a small doubt.

My doubt is actually bigger when a theist is singing... is he or she lacking something

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 26 Apr 2008, 07:40

Just as you can adore children other than your own, you can listen to good music wherever it comes from and be elevated by it.. Music by itself can be divine at its best. Sometimes, even those who say they believe in this god or that, may sing without any feeling because they don't bring their faith or their belief in the divinity that is music, into their singing or playing. I don't know why. A highly religious person can give a feeling-less concert and a non-believer (or a believer of not that particular god he sings about) can give a very emotive performance. While faith helps, one needs to feel the divinity which is music ...

Sangeet Rasik · Post by **Sangeet Rasik** » 26 Apr 2008, 20:00

revanthv552 wrote:I am a learner of Carnatic music.My age is sixteen. What do you all feel...?

Revanth,

I congratulate you on raising this point early in your musical journey. I can give my perspective. Although I am not an atheist by any means, I do not really believe in (or perhaps am not greatly interested in) the mythology of gods and goddesses built up in puranas. However, I believe it is possible to "grow up" learning the religious compositions that currently form the corpus of CM. One can sing them perfectly well with the appropriate bhavas. Of course there are some compositions of some composers which might require a strong dose of "bhakti" to sing them will full feeling - a person who is not a huge "bhakt" may want to avoid those compositions. It is a personal choice and different things work for different people.

That being said, there are discussions here in several threads on "Secular/Contemporary" and "Religious" themes in CM. Rasiks and Sadhaks can form their own opinions. "Non-religious" compositions are also arising and one does not have to restrict oneself to only "religious" compositions any more. You have not "opened a hornet's nest", these discussions are already taking place although some resistance from more conservative rasiks is only to be expected. Whatever your path, best wishes !

SR

revanthv552 · Post by **revanthv552** » 26 Apr 2008, 23:10

thanks a lot for your valuable replies VK RAMAN, tilt, Suji Ram, arasi ,Sangeet Rasik ...

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 27 Apr 2008, 06:21

A Sufi Song

Sing a song of Glory, and you will be that Glory.
Nothing , are you , but a song ; And as you sing, You are.

You thought you were the teacher.
And you find you are the one who is taught.

You thought you were the seeker,
And you find you are the one who is sought.

Sing a song of Glory, and you will be that Glory.
Nothing , are you , but a song; And as you sing, You are.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Apr 2008, 06:58

Thanks for the lovely verse, Cool!

money · Post by **money** » 27 Apr 2008, 11:48

It seems Maithileesharan Gupt, a poet who became an MP ,always spoke in verses in the parliament. Nowadays Coolji seems bent on emulating him. He writes only in verses- that is whenever he writes.
May his tribe become MPs.

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 27 Apr 2008, 16:43

money wrote:It seems Maithileesharan Gupt, a poet who became an MP ,always spoke in verses in the parliament. Nowadays Coolji seems bent on emulating him. He writes only in verses- that is whenever he writes.
May his tribe become MPs.

I think they already are MPs!-Music piriyargaL!-(Music lovers)

srinivasasarma · Post by **srinivasasarma** » 27 Apr 2008, 17:23

Dear youngster!
1. most of the artists are singing today for money and fame- nothing else. It is like acting in cinema- now a days. if he performs well,
he will get some more chances. If he does no like to sing glory of hindu Gods, he may find different platforms !
2.reg.KJJ his bhakthi towards Guruvayoorappan, Ayyappan and his master Chembai - are 100% pure. He respects all.
3. Sangeetha jnAnamu, bhakthi vinA