Economic downturn and music season 2008

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 15 Nov 2008, 10:49

Most of the major sponsors of the music season seem to be on a cost cutting mode due to the slow down. This may well affect the sponsorship for the upcoming season. It would intersting to see how many of the smaller sabhas are able to make it this year

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 15 Nov 2008, 13:34

Oh dear, yes...

A sad reminder that we can't, even here, escape from the unpleasant realities of that world.

This season must surely be fixed, and even paid for (I don't know how these work in practice)? Next season might be a different matter

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 15 Nov 2008, 13:37

Interesting topic! The full impact of the downturn is still to be felt here...for the time being, petrol prices are down, inflation is easing and interests rates are headed southwards. But we've already seen the impact on Diwali - the season may be no exception.

Lack of sponsors may hit the smaller sabhas harder. A lot of emerging companies who have been sponsoring concerts/festivals may stay away this time. Those with longer term interests such as Nalli, Sri Krishna etc. are unlikely to let a downturn (if they are suffering from one at all although their Diwali may have well been lean) impact on long term brand building. However investments in facilities (stage, audio and horror of horrors, loos) may be deferred for better times...compensation for artistes may not be revised...

As far as the end consumers - we rasikas - are concerned - I don't think 50 or 100 rupee tickets is really going to a significant number of patrons. NRI crowds, however, may be scarcer this year (although I am happy to note that a number of forum-ites are planning to visit!)

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 15 Nov 2008, 20:04

Olden times Temples used to be overcrowded during times of financial/war-time stress. Concerts used to be overflowing with people naturally seeking relief from everyday problems. Psychologically CM is ideal for relieving mental stress. Hence contrary to expectations I suspect the crowds will be bigger this year! Small sabhas may do very well if they sponsor good heartwarming programs!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Nov 2008, 17:36

CML,
Two of the forum folks arrived in India yesterday and headed for an evening concert, heavy-lidded with jet-lag. A warm up of a concert? No way. It kept them awake and alert until the end and once the concert ended, they switched off again, not knowing what they said or did, headed back home and hit the sack. If this is the prelude, they indeed look forward to a roaring season...

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 16 Nov 2008, 18:05

Welcome back Arasi! Here's wishing you many more such concerts in the season to come!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Nov 2008, 18:28

And they are yours too, for sure

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 16 Nov 2008, 20:26

Errr...yes I suppose!

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 16 Nov 2008, 21:46

I now feel at least a part of me is now in the motherland soaking up in divine CM. Keep reporting so that we can enjoy the joy vicariously. Of course don't stinge

I mean stinge on sleep (some concerts may even help

avyukta · Post by **avyukta** » 17 Nov 2008, 12:26

The economic downturn may be for good. High profile and costly artists who are always given chance every year could be substituted with other talented set of artists who give better quality concerts than the most popular ones and don't hanker for money. The rasikas can get to know more wonderful artists who have been sidelined by Sabha secretaries, committee members and the sponsors alike. These entities are very skillful in controlling the number of artists who could become crowd pullers (much like CA Institute!) There are some good artists in the field who have been performing well for more than fifteen years but have performed in places like music academy twice or thrice only in the early afternoon slot whereas there are some artists in the field performing well for seven to eight years but have not only sung seven or eight times but also are given chance at 7.15 pm slot. So the downturn may be good for also ran quality performers who have less or no PR skills
because of which they were never in the limelight. If the media, magazines, cloth stores and sweet shops keep giving chance to the same set of artists every year, naturally if they perform well they would become crowd pullers. Now if sponsors are few may be talent-depending artists also can win a chance to perform like PR skilled artists and become crowd pullers. So economic downturn is a great leveller.

sramaswamy · Post by **sramaswamy** » 18 Nov 2008, 00:11

avyukta

Thats a very interesting analysis. I just want to make a comment on "hanker for money". In my opinion I do not see any artistes making obscene money. Most of them live modestly and they are asking for money to live in a style maybe more opulent than Thyagaraja but nowhere near a cine-artiste or any other professional. It takes lot of hard work to reach the stage where they are and in my opinion their remuneration is nowhere near the efforts they have put in. We have to remember that they depend on this for their livelihood, to pay their day-to-day expenses. I do not think it is meaningful to ask them to live a life like they might have done at Thyagaraja's time.

However, I do agree that it might be a good thing to see some of the other talents who might not have gotten a chance otherwise. Yes I do see that as something good , if it happens.

thenpaanan · Post by **thenpaanan** » 18 Nov 2008, 01:15

sramaswamy wrote:avyukta

Thats a very interesting analysis. I just want to make a comment on "hanker for money". In my opinion I do not see any artistes making obscene money. Most of them live modestly and they are asking for money to live in a style maybe more opulent than Thyagaraja but nowhere near a cine-artiste or any other professional. It takes lot of hard work to reach the stage where they are and in my opinion their remuneration is nowhere near the efforts they have put in. We have to remember that they depend on this for their livelihood, to pay their day-to-day expenses. I do not think it is meaningful to ask them to live a life like they might have done at Thyagaraja's time.

However, I do agree that it might be a good thing to see some of the other talents who might not have gotten a chance otherwise. Yes I do see that as something good , if it happens.

From what I know it is nearly impossible to make a livelihood as a young and upcoming C musician unless you have other means of sustenance (family wealth, etc). In places like New York, one hears of struggling musicians who get other jobs like waitering to (barely) get by but I don't know of such possibilities in Chennai (unless our musicians take to part-time code writing!).

If we remunerate our CM artists better, perhaps they will not _have_ to take on so many concerts and take the time instead to enhance their music, teach students, create innovations, rest their voice, etc. I am always dreaming of the day when it would be possible for artists in CM to take time off and work on a new opera or a grand concert with original compositions and preselected+practiced accompanists. (I suppose this happens to a limited extent today, why not have more of these and slightly fewer than a million haphazard concerts during the season?)

One can always hope.

-Then Paanan

rbsiyer · Post by **rbsiyer** » 18 Nov 2008, 10:37

avyukta wrote:The economic downturn may be for good. High profile and costly artists who are always given chance every year could be substituted with other talented set of artists who give better quality concerts than the most popular ones and don't hanker for money...whereas there are some artists in the field performing well for seven to eight years but have not only sung seven or eight times but also are given chance at 7.15 pm slot

I am not so sure about this logic. generally you gets what you pays for. the singers who hanker for money (sic) usually are professional and perform damn sight better than the amateurs. also a few unamrketable or unsuccessful singers are already into the academys so-called prime slots. as all the 4pm tickets are clubbed with the 7.15 concert you refer to, saleability or quality doesnt seem a concern. if the 7.15 slot is also filled with cheap or "non-hankering" performers god help us!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 18 Nov 2008, 13:07

I can cut a major amount from the bills of almost every sabha with just one suggestion:

turn down, or even off, the air conditioning

It'd save me having to take a shawl out with me too.

chalanata · Post by **chalanata** » 18 Nov 2008, 13:59

after a lot of effort I am able to post a message today. this is probably the consequence of the restructuring the web blog. my preference would always be to attend free concerts because the pay slots and the artistes performing are much hyped and many a time do not live up to our expectations.
a free concert in raga sudha hall is better than hyped pay concert elsewhere. however other things especially the people who form part of the audiance in big places fascinate me. it is such an interesting thing watching them.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 18 Nov 2008, 21:01

This year I am assuming there will be lesser NRI's flying into chennai because of downturn , perhaps making a sound prediction. Hopefully chennaites and others around within india will turn in more numbers and keep the margazhi season not affected by downturn.

raja123 · Post by **raja123** » 18 Nov 2008, 23:56

We have taken some effort to get a good (hopefully) selection of musicians and dance artistes. Could you care to comment on the festival? We do pay a rather fair remuneration to all our artistes. Our sponsor list is also limited and being made up by our own interest. Any critical analysis will be welcome.
http://www.kutcheribuzz.com/easypromos/ ... ajothi.htm

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 19 Nov 2008, 01:40

The list is awesome - too bad that many of us will miss the performances. I am particulary curious about the vilAsini nrityam by Smt. Swapna Sundari. I wonder if she will be performing in Chennai in December. The performace by Smt. Revati Ramachandran will also be great especially with Suddha nrityam that is her speciality.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 19 Nov 2008, 05:14

WOW!
A superb blend of the young talents!
While we salivate sitting abroad, do make the programs available through DVD which will add to your revenue....

Tell us more about your organization...

Dhanavendra · Post by **Dhanavendra** » 19 Nov 2008, 10:34

Dear Raja 123

The list is encouraging and perhaps avyuktha's point of view has been taken care of. Its nice that the artists are to be decently remunerated. I wish the endeavour all success in their new venture. Care may please be taken that the same artists are not repeated next year. Kindly avoid getting into the rut that other sabhas have got into by repeating same popular artists year after year. By this way rasikas get to listen to many more other talented artists also. Its a suggestion worth considering in the long term interest of carnatic music

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 19 Nov 2008, 11:23

Nice list Raja 123 - I especially look forward to Meeta Pandit who's been making waves in the HM circuit...

sramaswamy · Post by **sramaswamy** » 20 Nov 2008, 01:30

Raja123

Thats a nice variety of Hindustani, Carnatic - both vocal and instrumentalists, and dance. I see only flute missing.

I found your website http://www.aanmajothi.in although sparse right now, is aesthetic and very well laid out.