M. Balamurali Krishna on traditionalists in Carnatic Music

[aaaiiih]

So well explained by Balmurali! Wow he really means it and ppl actually do not what is tradition!

[gmailsrikanth]

make sense. 

[kandaasa]

Why use the foreign word 'Carnatic' when legends like BMK Sir pronounce the original name 'Karnataka Music'

[anjiimr]

When an idiot like me can easily understand when he says that "you do not have to stay in the basement all the time" , why not wise men like you. Only a genius like him can play with the so called "traditions" like Einstein played with time and space. If one can not understand them then leave them alone.

[carnaticmusic89]

Is this a response to my comment?

[anjiimr]

No Sir. I am responding to the people who want to confine themselves to the "basement" with their own/mis understanding of so called "traidtional" way.

[carnaticmusic89]

The way he characterizes traditionalists is simplistic. Tradition does not imply stagnancy. Take Semmangudi, one of the most creative artists of the century. He made major changes in the art, yet people still classify him as a traditionalist. Tradition allows for change that respects certain values of the art's aesthetic and structural nature. As BMI said, there is a 'blueprint' -- but that blueprint is certainly much more than srgmpdn. Otherwise Hindustani and Carnatic music would be the same.

[Ooga001]

idiots.. first understand Sri BMK's point on tradition. In Carnatic music, improvisation is WHAT MAKES THE SINGER/MUSICIAN!! The tradition is the basis or foundation upon which each musician builds his form!! Tradition is RAAG, while improvisation is ALAP.

[rags015]

Balamuralikrishna's comments on tradition is blasphemy. Carnatic music has its' roots in Sampradaya (Tradition) and paddhathi (format). If Carnatic music is fast losing it's grips on it's values and principles, we ought to thank Balamurali for that. He's indoctrinated aspiring young musicians that it's okay to sing in anyway.

[ShootMyMonkey]

Your choice of words makes clear exactly what is wrong with tradition and purists. We're talking about an extremely technical and precise form of music which demands an intellectual approach. The use of religious language like "blasphemy" appeals only to emotions, not to the intellect.

People were resistive to advancements like grahabedham, vivadhi, exploration of "lesser" ragas all because these religious words got thrown on what was little more than unwillingness. This is the mold BMK broke.

[5kallu]

Though you are a monkey, your words have some wisdom, are you from Tretayuga or what?

[taniquetil2000]

rags015:

You are a really nice good boi.

But really, its "okay to sing in anyway". Its really ok to sing anyway you like. Its a free country. The Mughals and the british have gone away, in case you havent noticed.

And if you dont like how MBK sings, just dont listen to him, Mr. Gumbagonam Azhaganambi Pillai!

[pasumarthis]

Traditions evolve just like everything else in art. Tyagaraja Swami created new traditions(yes new Sampradayams) that didn't exist before. Surely krithi singing was not popular before him.

I guess many people can't accept something new coming up in their own lifetime. If their forefathers accepted something new 70 years ago and passed it on to them then they could easily accept it as tradition.

BTW many musicians and dancers are thankful to BMK for his tillanas.

[5kallu]

You listen to what he said, carefully. He said - " tradition is like basement, a blue print, but you develop over it.."

Just with 4years research boys are publishing papers and writing thesis , why not a guy who lived his whole life in music invent something?!! Tyagaraja was also a kid , people like you opposed but, he had stuff , he came up. Who knew Annamayya, till 50years ago someone dug-out his keertanas?

[carnaticmusiclover1]

What Dr.BMK is doing is any day better than what the Madras Music Mafia has done to Carnatic Music for centuries now!!! - Making it sound like the most boring sounds you can ever hear and showcasing Carnatic musicians as crass uneducated people is the main reason Carnatic music does not find any takers most of the time. Chennai centric musicians think they invented Carnatic music. I definitely agree that they have made Carnatic Music look like the worst option to choose as a career!!

[anumutsi]

These stupid people who talk about tradition should ask how did the tradition start?

Music must improvise to stay alive. This is the essence of our music. Not meaningless parrotry..

[anumutsi]

Very wel said. Balamurali is the most creative musician on the carnatic music landscape today. The people who have said not all of his compositions are good should understand the meaning of the word creativity and the essence of carnatic music. Our music is not about repeating the composer's vision perfectly it is about manodharma, improvisation. Being a well known artist, he is not afraid to experiment, not afraid to fail. That itself is testament to his creativity

[pimezon]

hes god gifted.. but also arrogant

[cricketlover1117]

amazingly said by balamurali ji.

[S172142230149]

it was really great interview, Balamurali sir did not allow interviewer to say a word, i really admire him and he is legend

[pkkrovvidi]

He did not allowed him to use the words "purists" representing other dogmatic singers. thats all.

[pkkrovvidi]

That is what Dr.MBK is all about. All so called treditionals are in circle with finate radius based on their level. Dr.Balamurali is in that circle has infinate radius. Great Creator.

[savvysubu]

I am sure several people admire modern art created with same raw materials as a masterpiece. Some people may not find it very interesting, not necessarily because they do not understand it.

Dr. BMK is a great creator. But, every piece that he created are not necessarily great. In trying to explain why people do not like something, they spit out incorrect reasons, and then we create "traditionalists" and end up talking about some irrelevant stuff. People define tradition inside finite radius.

[santhwanam]

Great comment! thnx for uploading this! can you upload more from this interview?