Not Bollywood, classical music teaches life lessons: Violinist

Classical music may not seem like a glamorous alternative to Bollywood songs, but violinist Anupriya Deotale feels the former can teach important life lessons, something that Bollywood music lacks.
Lamenting the "lack of poetry and composition" in Bollywood music, the artiste, who recently performed at India Habitat Centre here, said that while classical music can teach students lessons of harmony and peace, Bollywood music has nothing similar to offer.
"It is a terrible situation in Bollywood today. There is no poetry, no lyrics, and no music there. What will youth learn from that? There is no direction.
"On the other hand, classical music is an entire culture, it's not only about music. By coming in touch with classical, young people learn values like humanity and peace," Deotale said.

The event "Music Beyond Words" was organised by Anupriya Violin Academy in association with Sahitya Kala Parishad and the Department of Art Culture and Language.
The musical evening saw solo performances by Deotale on violin, accompanied by Zuheb Ahmed Khan on tabla, besides an instrumental fusion composition based on her father and Hindi poet Chandrakant Deotale's works.

The artiste, who takes inspiration from the greats like Ustad Amir Khan and sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan, said while classical artistes steer clear of fusion, it is a "very creative" art form.
"Music is music and there is nothing wrong in fusion that one should stay away from it. In fact it is a very creative art form and it is not possible without a base in classical.

"And through experimental fusion music I aim to take poetry and good composition to more and more people," she told PTI.
Deotale, who picked up violin as her choice of instrument amidst more popular instruments like guitar and drums, said not many people choose violin because it is difficult and expensive.
However, she also believes that it is the "most beautiful instrument in the world".
"Violin, according to me, is the most beautiful instrument in the world. You can create any kind of mood with it by creating a vast range of sounds. You can create sounds similar to sarangi and sarod on a violin too. It's a complete instrument.

"But the problem is that it is very difficult, it doesn't have a skin. There are no sympathetic strings for resonance. It requires a lot of patience and hardwork to control a violin. And that's why there are only few people who play violin," she said.
She further added that while it is "difficult for people not coming from a family of musicians to make a name for themselves in the field of classical music, talent and passion can never be stopped from coming out".
"It is unfortunately true for all fields that it is easier for those who come from a renowned background, but it is not always true. Nobody can stop a person with talent, passion, and dedication from coming out.

"And it applies to those who belong to influential families too. Without any talent they can also do nothing. Without hardwork nothing is possible," the artiste said.
Deotale has worked extensively with musicians from Germany, France, Spain and Reunion Island. She also performs regularly for Government of India's organisation Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and SPIC MACAY.
The event was also attended by Manish Sisodia, deputy chief minister of Delhi, and eminent poet Ashok Vajpeyi.