Changing 'status quo' of Carnatic music possible: Subrahmanyan

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Legendary musician Sanjay Subrahmanyan, often described as the 'rockstar of Carnatic music', said change in the 'status quo' of Carnatic music is possible if that can be sustained. "If you don't call your music classical, you can do anything you want. But once you define it as a classical art form, then there are boundaries and you must convince the audience that there is something in it for them (if the boundaries are crossed)," said Subrahmanyan. The celebrity musician was answering a question from the audience about changing the rigid structure of Carnatic music.

Subrahmanyan was launching his memoir, 'On That Note', written with Krupa Ge, here on December 17 evening at Bangalore International Centre. Following the launch, he and Kruba discussed the book with writer Anita Nair. He also discussed his musical journey and the shift that happened within him, prompting him to do things differently. According to him, change is inevitable if there is support for it. "If there are more musicians coming out and doing things outside the so-called rigid space that has been established and if it is successful, then change will happen," said Subramanyan. Subrahmanyan said when people make a living out of something, first it is essential to create a space that would take care of this need, before anything can be done.

"So, if you go to those concerts (that change the status quo), you have to take another 3,000 people to ensure that those people can make a living out of that music. Then there will be change," he said. Known for his strict adherence to the traditions of the artform, it seemed for long that Subrahmanyan was happy with the 'status quo'. But as he manoeuvred skillfully within that space, improvising in his own way, he managed to create a cult for himself.

That "3,000 people" who made it possible for him to slowly push the boundaries, mostly with the choice of songs. Post pandemic though, "changes" started trickling in more frequently. First, it started with how he engaged with people and music. For instance, he took to social media to serve bite-sized portions of Carnatic music. He understood the power of whetting the appetite of people, slowly drawing them into the fold of classical music. Just as the article is being written, Subrahmanyan has announced on 'X' that he would let people access s Sanjay Sabha live shows on his YouTube channel.