Classical music needs publicity to survive: Soma Ghosh

By Sujoy Dhar Jun 20, 2006, 9:58 GMT

Kolkata, June 20 (IANS) Singer Soma Ghosh says candidly that Indian classical music needs all the publicity it can get to endure in this age of remixes. So her forthcoming albums will be released by mega star Amitabh Bachchan.

'My albums will be released by Amitabh Bachchan at his residence. I cannot deny that I need publicity. Classical music needs publicity to survive,' said Ghosh, whose maiden show here, her hometown, was much appreciated.

Her albums, 'Kajri' and 'Holi', are being brought out by Times Music.

She recalled the words of legendary music composer Naushad. 'On his deathbed Naushadji told me: 'Beti, you are the one who can take forward our tradition'. I cannot forget that.'

So, the Mumbai-based singer, who counts President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam among her admirers and has performed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, has made it her mission to preserve and popularise classical music among the present generation.

Trained in the Benaras gharana, Ghosh had developed a unique, playful style of presentation that she calls 'Darbari Mehfil' (the king's concert).

Keen to woo audiences to classical music concerts, Ghosh strikes a playful bond with the audience as she renders one soulful song after another.

'I am trying to carry forward the heritage of the royalty. I am trying to take the audience to the bygone era of 'rajas' and 'maharajas' who would enjoy music at the end of the day's work for relaxation,' Ghosh told IANS.

'It is old wine that I want to present but in a new bottle so that people don't turn away from the rich heritage of classical music. I stage a 'Mehfil' and entertain people,' said the singer who is the adopted daughter of Shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan.

'It is a matter of concern that the tradition of Dabrari Mehfils and Indian classical music is fading away in this age of pop music and light film songs,' said Ghosh who was groomed in the Benaras Gharana under Narayan Chakravarty while she later blended in playful expressions of the Gwalior and Senia Gharanas.

A gharana groups musicians who are linked by lineage and/or discipleship and who adhere to a particular musical style.

'In Benaras I used to run a school. Sponsorship was drying up as sponsors said they don't understand classical music. Music has to touch the soul. So I did a research on psychosomatic impact of music.

'I kept thinking about how to woo sponsors. Later I came up with my idea of presentation in 'Darbari Mehfil' style. I made presentation of khayal and thumri in a more friendly style,' said Ghosh.

She founded 'Madhu Murchana', a trust with the objective of saving traditional Indian musical instruments from extinction and to provide a platform to aspiring musicians.

A graduate in literature from Benaras Hindu University, Ghosh did her post-graduation and doctorate in music under the tutelage of Chittaranjan Jyotishi, disciple of the legendary Omkarnath Thakur of the Gwalior gharana.

She also trained under Bageshwari Devi of the Benaras gharana who helped her imbibe the typical forms of the style as represented through thumri, hori, chaiti, kajari, dadra and ghazal.

Ghosh has so far resisted the temptation of Bollywood despite numerous offers.

About playback singing, she said: 'I can sing if I get those compositions of Naushad and Madan Mohan.'

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service