Can I learn classical at 40?

You can learn music irrespective of age. It depends on your dedication and the amount of sadhakam you are willing to put in.

thehindu.com - 'Age is no bar for learning music' - The Hindu

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August 14, 2014 04:04 pm | Updated 04:04 pm IST

I am 67 years old and trained in Carnatic music. Since I do not practise regularly, I find it difficult to hit the higher octaves. How can I rectify the problem?

Aarudhra, Palakkad

Sustained and regular practice is the key to nurture a good voice. Please keep at it!

I am touching 60. Will I be able to learn Carnatic music at this age? Which is more important - bhavam or ragam?

Sivakameswar Kummamuru, Retirement and financial planner

You can learn music irrespective of age. It depends on your dedication and the amount of sadhakam you are willing to put in. Bhavam or expression comes out of your deep understanding and assimilation of all aspects such as raga and lyrics.

Tell us a little about your guru Dr. S. Ramanathan. Which is your favourite songs in various genres such as Carnatic, Hindustani, Western, folk and film. Also how did an M.Sc holder from IIT become full-time Carnatic vocalist?

X. Rosario Rajkumar, Tiruchi

My guru was an unparalleled combination of an exemplary musician and a wonderful human being. One can write or say volumes about him. As a hardcore sangita rasika, I don't have favourites. I look for positives in every genre. I have been singing since childhood. Education happened simultaneously. It was never one over the other. My family and I are big fans of your singing and TV shows. I have been learning Carnatic music for over eight years. While singing the sahityam of a keerthanai, I find it challenging to remember the aarohanam and avarohanam of rare ragas. How do I differentiate the ragas of rare songs and its arohanam and avarohanam. Also let me know the first step to singing alapana and kalpanaswaras.

Manasa Bharathi .N, Chennai

The structure of any raga and the manodharma aspects can be assimilated only by repeated and attentive listening, practice and guidance.

If you look at any classical concert across the globe, the artists try to adhere to tradition. Whereas in the West they use classical tunes for rhymes. Why such ‘Janaranjakam’ items are not found in Carnatic music?

Raghav Narayan MA, USA

“Janaranjakam” is in the eyes/ears/mindset of the listener. There are multiple musical forms within the broad ambit of both Carnatic and Hindustani music. One cannot be labelled “more” or “less” classical than the other. It all depends on the technical aspects and the mode of presentation.

Is it true that the name of a raga is mentioned in a keerthana?

V.K. Suresh, Coimbatore

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Not necessarily. Raga mudra is a feature adopted by certain composers in some of their compositions.

Carnatic music is a dynamic and intense musical discipline. Is it not ambitious to think that a common man can reach there? There are many art forms that are undergoing a transformation, is it happening in Carnatic music too? According to you who is a good listener?

Ashwin. K, Kannur, Kerala

Carnatic music is a fundamental system or a foundation. Anyone with interest and dedication can learn and enjoy it. It is also a dynamic system that has evolved over centuries, with lot of changes getting incorporated seamlessly.

What do you think is the right age to initiate a child into Carnatic music?

Kannan Krishnan

There is no specific age or stage at which a child can be introduced to music, whether vocal or instrumental. Aptitude for learning has to be judged by a good teacher.

Is it possible to have different alapanas for the same raga such as ‘Vasudevayani Etha Unara,’ ´Chakkani Raja’ and ‘Pakkala Nilepadi'?

E. Lakshmanan

The length and content of alapanas is dictated by a number of factors, the most important being the artist’s manodharma and mood of the moment! In performances of great masters of the past, the content of the alapana has been indicative of the composition to follow. Many contemporary musicians choose not to adhere to kutcheri format as set by Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar. I feel a concert should deal in detail with few ragas and compositions, say 3-4, rather than be a potpourri of 13-15 items. What is your take on this? You are a student of Mukthamma, of the Brinda-Muktha duo, who were formidable practitioners of padams. Their style of singing was unique which they tried to impart to their disciples. But they often complained that their disciples would learn from them and later sing the same compositions in a more populist fashion. Comment.

Harish Bal

I prefer to stick to the concert pattern and style passed on to me by my gurus. I have striven to adhere strictly to the patanthara taught to me by Mukthamma.

Do you believe in music therapy? Are there any authentic studies/research on this subject?

S. Venkatesh, Chennai

Music definitely has healing powers as evident from various historical references and anecdotes. There are many scholars and researchers working on this and several books have been published.

thehindu.com - 'Age is no bar for learning music' - The Hindu

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