Pandit Kumar Gandharva is an integral part of my musical practice: Shubha Mudgal

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How do you remember the memories of Kumar Gandharva ji? Any special memory with you that you would like to share?

The truth is that I don’t have to make any special effort to remember Pandit Kumar Gandharva ji, because his music, his unique singing and original thoughts have become an integral part of my life and my music practice. The events that are being organized on his birth centenary, articles are being written, seminar-discussions etc. are being organized, all that is fair and should be organized impartially, but as I have said, in my musical journey So his voice, his compositions are always with me. Still, you have requested to highlight a special memory, so let me tell you that my childhood was spent in Allahabad (then Prayagraj). There were some knowledgeable and music lovers in the city, who were devotees of Kumar ji’s singing as well as his friends. One of them Mr. Satyendra Verma, who was a well-known lawyer of the city, used to organize Kumar ji’s singing every year at his bungalow. An open invitation was extended to all music lovers in the city to come and enjoy the singing. Our whole family i.e. mother, father, me and my younger sister listens to this program every year and waits for when Kumar ji will come next year.

It is said about Kumar ji that he was always experimental, he also gave place to the music that emerged from nature and folk music in his music. Tell us a little about this. Also, what are your views on experimentalism in classical music?

Kumar ji studied folk music with full respect and also adopted it, there are many proofs for this. The ‘Dhun-Ugam Raag’ composed by him gives proof of his experimentation. In order to lure the snake, Kumar ji was able to extract the essence of ‘Ahimohini’ raga from the tune of snake charmer’s bean, compose khayal bandishes from it and present them in khayal style. Apart from this, he used to present a complete program on ‘folk tunes of Malwa’. He had a whole treasure of Ragdari’s material, he did not lean towards folk songs because of any lack, but probably realizing how rich folk music is, he prepared such a program.

What do you think about the importance and future of classical music? What would you like to say to new music seekers?

Such slogans of Make in India are being raised in the country, but no one is thinking about the traditional arts, nor is anyone interested in them. That’s why traditional arts are facing a tough fight. Sometimes someone says that what I have said is not correct, but the bitter truth is that such a time may also come, when Indians travel abroad to listen to Dhrupad etc. traditional musical arts. may be forced.

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