'Nepotism plaguing sabhas; transparency, quota needed'

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The pandemic opened many Pandora's boxes. One of which was the realisation that performing artists also fell in the 'precarious livelihood' category. Realising that if the situation continued it would drive the younger generation away from classical music, Karnataka Classical Music C nfederation Trust was formed in 2021 to amplify the problems of classical musicians.

The trust has 250 registered members, veena exponent Prasanth Iyengar, who is also KCMC's secretary said. “Even established musicians had to struggle with no work coming. It is then that some of us got together to push for transparency in the way musicians are given work. Nepotism is making things worse,” violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, who is the joint secretary of KCMC, said.

According to her, encouraging diversity and inclusivity could help in counteracting nepotism. Srikanth, who is originally from Bengaluru but now lives in London, said her move abroad made her realise what even a little diversity could do for music.

"My albums, particularly 'Carnatic Connection', for which I had collaborated with an 11-member Bollywood Brass Band (a brass band based in London that plays Bollywood and traditional Indian music), stand testimony to the fact that diversity can create new and exciting styles of Carnatic music,” she said.