Indian Classical Music

Some of the music that I listen to nowadays are Metallica, Tool, Pantera, AIC & Maiden. Under this context I found it really weird travelling 130 miles to see an Indian Classical concert. The stalwarts of the Indian Music, Shiv Kumar Sharma & Zakir Hussein were performing, neverthless I could never fathom my reason to go to the concert. Sometimes when you have lotsa time on your hands, you do end up doing some really strange things.

Its not that I have never listened to classical. I have seen a performance by Hari Prasad Chaurasia in IIT, but he was accompanied by Shivamani & Louis Banks at that show. I still remember people getting fidgety when Charusia played some long solos, although Shivamani totally compensated for such dull periods.

Coming to the Pittsburgh concert, Santoor is one of those mellowing instruments which have a really soporofic effect on you. The first piece by Shiv Kumar Sharma totally put me to sleep. However my friends, Gayatri and Archana, who seemed to have received some kinda classical training at some part of their life were all praises for the opening performance. Hiding my ignorance and lack of appreciation for art, I agreed to their views and joined them in giving a rapturous applause. But the equation soon changed with the introduction of Zakir Hussein. This was something I could relate to the amps and drums that I have so gotten use to.

The performance lasted close to 2 1/2 hrs, and audience were totally bowled over by these two maestros. One thing that people found really annoying were those small uncomfortable seats. The organisers believed that the concept of keeping the audience at the "edge of seat" means making smaller seats so, that they are always falling out.

I could have written a little more on this blog, but its already 2:00 am and I have my MS defense tomorrow at 11:00 am - besides Naved- ul Hasan has just rattled the Indian top order.

So Good Nite !!