Indian classical music on the net
Lately there has been an explosion of information on Carnatic music on the internet. I wish the Hindustani counterparts would catch up. Let me resort to cliche-maybe those from the South are more technologically competent and that’s why they are making full use of the net to talk about Carnatic music and create readily available archives. There is something for everybody, from the beginner to the more well informed rasika. I once read an article on the net where the person stated that she could never appreciate Hindustani music as much as Carnatic music because she was brought up with Carnatic music. In my case, I feel like Hindustani Mata and Carnatic Pita (or vice versa) and it is hard to differentiate. Sitting here in London, unable to go to concerts with the same frequency as in India, I do rely on the internet a lot.
I am also beginning to agree with Charu that there are fewer newer voices in Hindustani music than there are in Carnatic music despite writing something to the contrary.
There is an explosion of talent (no, not the dubious “child prodigies” that keep appearing on youtube). Lots of young people are interested in Carnatic music and learning it seriously. Just look at all the concert recordings available for free on www.sangeethamshare.org.
I’m learning it in London. Why is a “Naarth Indian” learning Carnatic music-one who can’t speak Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, or Malayalam-though she is hoping to rectify that by learning at least one of those?
Of course, because I like it. Also because of the greater availability of good teachers outside India as opposed to Hindustani and the resources available to someone wanting to learn Carnatic music today. It’s also taught more systematically, and I believe it’s easier to go wrong with Hindustani in the earlier stages than with Carnatic music.
Chakli asked if there was a site for Hindustani classical music. There are some, but not as good as the Carnatic ones, or not as far as I have been able to tell (please correct me if I am wrong).
Here are just some of the interesting sites with resources for those interested in Carnatic music:
1.Top vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanian is blogging and whats more is making podcasts. I particularly enjoyed the podcast on violin accompaniment and the latest one, where he interviews a surprise guest.
2. Much discussion amongst rasikas of music on rasikas.org. There is a Hindustani section, but the site on the whole concentrates on Carnatic music. Sometimes the discussions lead you to very interesting links and downloads.
3. Sangeethapriya has a vast amount of non-commercial recorded musics, e.g. from radio to live concerts. The quality is variable, but of late I’ve downloaded some fantastic concerts from there. They have a smaller Hindustani section. More Hindustani downloads will be available by clicking on individual uploaders directories than the section titled “Hindustani.”
4. To listen to streaming music online, musicindiaonline.com remains a good site (though some musicians are upset about the fact that their music appears there). It has good selections of Hindustani, Carnatic, film music and other types of music from India.
There are some other sites, with good collections of Hindustani music like esnips (the songs aren’t downloadable any more), Gupta Agra’s collection is particularly good. Others are
Indian Raga
For Sanskrit Mantras and Stotras I like Vedamantram. Have become a bit fed up of the glut of saccharine renditions in the ever expanding market for “devotional music”.
The problem with Hindustani music on the net is you have to look for it a little harder-and it’s often scratchy recordings of older or dead singers. I try to keep the music section of the blog (in the bottom right) updated with all these interesting links. If anyone knows any more, please point us in the that direction!
Hi Mumbaigirl living in London.. heres a reply from Australia Sydney..
So true what you say. There are less Hindustani Websites that are completely exhaustive and describe gharanas and the like. However some good music files can be heard for free on esnips, musicindiaonline, ITCSRA, and many more.. Go to http://www.sydhwaney.wordpress.com and see them on my blogroll.
As far as learning hindustani music is concerned, it is difficult to learn it in isolation of an accompanying Tablist.. unlike Carnatic music. But ofcourse you know all this..
Rgds
Sumi
Thanks! ITC was on my last blogroll, seems to have vanished. Yeah, my dad would play the tabla while he and my mum had music lessons!
uttara,
As a dipped and dyed South Indian and Carnatic music fan who only recently (ie in the last 5-7 yrs or so) had some exposure to HM and mostly through the internet here are some HM links that helped me along.
1.Rajan Parrikar’s writings on http://sawf.org/music/articles.asp?pn=Music
and some of which can be found here. (Yes the tone can be annoying at times ) and archived at http://parrikar.org/
2.www.itcsra.org
And some of my recently discovered haunts include:
1.Deepak Raja’s blog, http://swaratala.blogspot.com
2.http://www.sadarang.com/
As far as carnatic music is concerned I’d add carnatica.net, karnatik.com and Mohan Iyer’s carnaticcorner.com (one of the longest surviving sites) and of course I will add my own shameless self-promotion for my rather niche’ site http://www.guruguha.org (Its been 8 years since I had this site).
And for uber-serious listener/scholar-student you even have Dr.Ramanathan Univ of Madras site musicresearch.in with tons of information. What has grown in terms of carnatic music is that the amount of shared musical material via sangeethapriya and also interactions among the fans via rasikas.org and people organizing meetups beyond a bulletin board interaction. Even the activity on rec.music.indian.classical is relatively low these days so it is an interesting point you make..
hi V, thanks for the links. I knew of them except for the Dr. Ramanathan one-so they should have been on the list-will add them to the blogroll asap. Carnatica should be there already. Your site is wonderful by the way.
Thanks for the links! This is a good list for me to start from.
Thanks for these sites uttara..
and sanjay sub blogs, sanjay sub ?? never knew.. thanks, really.. off to read him now…
Hey uttara, thanks for that email link too! I did check my email yesterday, but forgot to mention here.
Thanks for these links!
My daughter learns HM w/o tabla (though the hubby plays it when she’s practising if he’s around). Didn’t know one needed it compulsorily. Also how can one go wrong in the initial stages? Please to elaborate, would really like to know.
The list of things I didn’t know keeps growing as I grow older!
Don’t worry-not necessary in the beginning, but better to have it as you advance.
Btw uttara, is that you in the header? You play the sitar?!
No, it’s a friend (in Pakistan), playing the tanpura!
very coincidentally, my friend vidya just sent a mail that she runs this site calls raagarasika.com
oh thats a tanpura? tells you how much i know (or don’t). ok, one more in the list then!
and thanks for this post again.
I do have that on my blogroll, and have been listening to the podcasts! Tanpuras or Tamburas (the North and South Indian ones are different) have only one round whereas sitars have two…
Very nice list. Just wanted to add (to already said info) that sangeethapriya is indeed a gold mine for people wanting to hear good music – although for the uninitiated, it could be daunting to choose from. guruguha.org is a gold mine for serious scholarly stuff.
charsur.com now allows you to download purchased music/concerts – not their entire selection though I think. They have started doing this only recently.
Arun
I should add your blog to the list-it’s in the wrong place on the blogroll! Charsur’s site drives me mad, but apparently they have put in some improvements.
Interested in your promoting Carnatic Music concert in London during end April begining
may ,2012 for artists participated in Clivland Festival 2012 on their return from States via London.Concerts may be arranged in 3 or 4 Auditoriums in and around London for various artists. Please contact ommdtly, since will be leaving for India in a months time Vasu