Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS) Fusion music is dead in the West and what is being promoted under that name is crude, commercial and soulless stuff, says Trilok Gurtu, one of the earliest exponents of the genre.

"Fusion is dead in the West. Nobody cares for it there. World music is upcoming, good remixes are welcomed," Gurtu told IANS in an interview.
Gurtu, the Hamburg-based son of late legendary Thumri (a style of light Indian classical music) exponent Shobha Gurtu, said the main reason for fusion's decline was that nobody wanted to look out for genuine music.

"Nobody wants to spend money to go searching for good country and folk music to bring out fusion. People who try fusion nowadays are those who have no idea what is involved in fusion.

December 20, 2005

Noted Carnatic vocalist and south Indian classical singer Sudha Raghunathan was conferred Sangeetha Mamani by Sri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj yesterday.

Inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations of the samaj and ninth annual music festival of the samaj,
L. Saberathnam, director, Chennai Petroleum Corporation , said people throughout the world are now eager to listen to Carnatic music. Even the youth are today attracted towards Carnatic music. Sabha should encourage them to sustain the interest.

A vocalist and a violinist par excellence in the world of South Indian classical music is Mohan Chandrasekharan.

Born in 1937, he was introduced to violin-playing by his mother Charubala who herself was a talented musician. 'She was my only guru as far as the violin was concerned,' he notes.

        'When my mother played on the instrument I would grip her feet and listen to the music. When she understood my love for music she started teaching me the violin at the age of seven She made me overcome my visual disability and learn the art', he recalls.

       

Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama New Delhi and Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, Chennai host 'Nritya Pratibha' - a festival of young dancers from August 8 to 12, 2005 in Chennai.

The festival presents a selection of young artistes mainly from southern region and a few from other regions of India, representing various styles of dance like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Kathak, Kathakali, Nangiarkoothu, Odissi, Sattriya, Chhau and Pung Cholom.

The fest will be inaugurated by senior dance guru Kalanidhi Narayanan. Concerts begin at 6.30 pm daily and will be held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's main auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai.

August 01 2005