• This short piece clears misconceptions about Classical Music being elitist, tells Prerequisites for Appreciation and Health benefits of classical music.

Soon after one of my concerts at the Chennai December Music Festival I found myself pondering on what enables MUSIC to exert such a powerful hold over us human beings. Billions are intuitively drawn and intellectually engaged by it, have physiologically and psychologically benefitted from it, are philosophically consoled by it, and spiritually exalted through it – All this for millennia. It is equally noteworthy that genres like Carnatic and Hindustani Indian Classical, Western Classical, Jazz etc. enjoy greater popularity as compared to others. 

The Chennai Music Festival is officially the largest musical megavaganza (if one can coin such a term) in the world. Spread over 30-35 days and featuring nearly 5,000 concerts it attracts audiences from across the globe. In addition to Carnatic concerts by legends, celebrities and emerging artists, the festival features Hindustani recitals, dance and theatre performances, academic lectures and panel discussions.

This article clears misconceptions about Classical Music being elitist, gives Prerequisites for Appreciation and Health benefits of classical music in brief.

Misconceptions

Understandably, audiences have varying degrees of knowledge which shapes their expectations and opinions but the key question that both connoisseurs and newbies seek to address is “How to Appreciate Carnatic Music.” Others wonder, “Why appreciate it?”

There is a popular misconception that classical systems are too cerebral, elitist and therefore beyond the reach of the common listener. Nothing is far from the facts.

1. Globally accessible: When Indian Classical enjoys global popularity among listeners of all age groups and backgrounds, how can it be inaccessible to our own people? Concerts by maestros such as Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Alla Rakha, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, L. Shankar, Mandolin U. Srinivas, amongst others have cut age and cultural barriers.

2. Diversity: These traditions have for centuries, owed their existence to the contributions of people from diverse regions and communities who have consistently produced exceptional talent from all sections of society.

3. Inclusivity: In the last couple of decades, there has been disinformation campaigns to the effect that the Carnatic field has conspired to promote only one community and actively conspired to keep out people from diverse communities.

This brazenly pushes under the carpet the fact that Carnatic owes its very existence and development to the contributions of numerous people from diverse regions and communities over centuries and has been a meritocratic industry i.e. based on public appreciation.

4. Unifying amalgamation: Careful analysis will reveal that Carnatic blends theoretical and practical approaches from Sama Veda, Sanskrit and Tamil treatises like Natya Shastra and Silappadhikaram. It has also seamlessly integrated certain Hindustani (Indo/Persian) and Western concepts, thanks to master composers like Purandara Dasa, Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi, Tyagaraja, Muttuswami Dikshitar, Shyama Shastri, Swati Tirunal etc.

5. Multi-themed: A section of the public wonder if spiritual alignment is a pre-requisite to appreciate Carnatic music. Those who are inclined will find this multi-lingual lyrically rich system rewarding because it embeds profound insights of brilliant poets and visionary thinkers. Nevertheless, this music can be appreciated, emotionally and intellectually, by others.    

Next how do audiences know how to appreciate this art form, what are the multiple benefits from listening?  

Prerequisites for Appreciation 

An open mind is the first and most essential requirement for cultivating the art of listening. 

Repeated exposure is equally important. Many art forms grow on us over time. It is vital not to abandon high-quality music simply because it does not immediately resonate. 

It is also important to remain independent of peer opinions and popular trends. The same piece of music can evoke different responses in different listeners—and even different responses in the same listener over time. 

For new listeners, instrumental music is often an ideal starting point, as it transcends barriers of language, theme, and religion. 

Avoid delving into excessive technical details at the outset. Instead, allow the beauty of the music to wash over you. Observe how you respond to slow or fast tempos, gentle or energetic passages, and varied melodic and rhythmic structures. 

When possible, gradually engage more actively as a listener—for example, by silently keeping tala in perfect rhythm with the performers, without disturbing others.

Video Series on Appreciation 

It is most heartening that Shaale.com have recently launched a 10-chapter, 85-segment video series, “Appreciating Carnatic Music,” featuring hundreds of examples by top artists.

I played a small part in this endeavour by sharing practical tips that can help audiences appreciate the melodic, lyrical, compositional and improvisational aspects whilst being more rhythmically engaged during concerts. The video also contains optional quiz sections on each chapter with attractive prizes and certificates from the music education portal Acharyanet. These can be accessed Here

What are the Health Benefits of listening to Classical Music? 

An ever-growing body of research confirm that classical music offers numerous health and wellness benefits.

The emotional, physiological, and cognitive effects of Music therapy and Musopathy (www.clisonics.com) are now being rigorously studied by leading educational and medical institutions as part of a holistic approach to human health. Music decreases stress, anxiety, depression, hypertension and also helps in neurological, cardiopulmonary and physical wellbeing. Read  The Power of Music Therapy

Interestingly, several ancient civilizations including Indian, Chinese, and Egyptian had already recognized and applied these principles intuitively. Bharata, in his Natya Shastra (c. 200 BCE–200 CE), defined and expounded upon notes (swaras), rhythms (laya), instruments, and orchestration. He established music as both a spiritual pursuit and a scientific discipline, while Sushruta (c. 1000–800 BCE), regarded as the “Father of Plastic Surgery,” prescribed music (along with other therapies) for breaking comas and identified it as a psychological stimulus for vitality. Charaka was perhaps the first Indian physician to suggest employing musicians as supporting staff in public hospitals.

Even the cognitive benefits of music alone provide ample reasons for people of varying ages - be it students or senior citizens. All these incidental benefits.  

The primary reason one should listen to our great systems of music is to savour its incomparable beauty, which is one of India’s greatest gifts to the world.

Ravikiran is a globally acclaimed performing prodigy from age 2, composer, educator and initiator of Melharmony, Musopathy and Rural Empowerment through Music & Arts. To visit site click Here

Also read

1. Four Basic Elements of Carnatic Music

2. Comparing Carnatic and Hindustani Classical Music

3. The Power of Music Therapy

4. T M Krishna and Carnatic Music Controversy