Carnatic music and how westerners can get to appreciate it

[Classical Indian dancer]

I know that most westerners are unable to appreciate Carnatic music. I
think that is it easier to learn to appreciate it by watching
Bharatanatyam, for example, because music is so intricately connected
with the movements of the dancer. I mean, real dancers, not the
so-called "senior artists" who are well-off and politically
well-connected despite being obviously overweight, terribly clumsy,
deaf and lacking in basic training.

Myself, I got interested in finding Bharatanatyam after watching Medha
Hari ( www.MedhaHari.com ), a young girl from Madras, who is believed
to be the
incarnation of one of the 23 apsaras (heavenly dancers). Does anybody
know any other contemporary genuises like her?

[Nick H (UK)]

Post by Classical Indian dancer
I know that most westerners are unable to appreciate Carnatic music. I

Most Westerners are never exposed to Carnatic music.

Perhaps you mean that most Westerners, in your experience, don't like it
when they do hear it. I regret to say that that is my experience too.

But a growing number of us are enjoying it, I'm glad to say.

Post by Classical Indian dancer
think that is it easier to learn to appreciate it by watching
Bharatanatyam,

I don't agree: it just adds a further level that is not understandable.
If our sample Westerner has enough knowledge of Indian dance to
understand it, then he will be familiar with the music already. If
[s]he has enough knowledge of Indian religion and myth to get an idea of
what is being represented then, again, they probably are already
familiar with the music. Personally, I'm not so keen on Bharatanatyam.

Post by Classical Indian dancer
for example, because music is so intricately connected
with the movements of the dancer. I mean, real dancers, not the
so-called "senior artists" who are well-off and politically
well-connected despite being obviously overweight, terribly clumsy,
deaf and lacking in basic training.

You don't like them then? Let's take a more positive view: at least
Indian culture, unlike the West, does not so readily discard its female
artists on the basis of a few added years and a few added pounds.

Post by Classical Indian dancer
Myself, I got interested in finding Bharatanatyam after watching Medha
Hari ( www.MedhaHari.com ), a young girl from Madras,

And will you still enjoy her dancing when she is 30 years older, a
little larger and can't move with quite the same lightness? When she has
become established, senior, and (hopefully for her) well off?

Post by Classical Indian dancer
who is believed to be the
incarnation of one of the 23 apsaras (heavenly dancers).

Hmmm; excuse my cynicism

Post by Classical Indian dancer
Does anybody know any other contemporary genuises like her?

...who will have been taught, quite likely, by your "Senior Artists"...

[Nick H (UK)]

Post by Nick H (UK)

Post by Classical Indian dancer
I know that most westerners are unable to appreciate Carnatic music. I

Most Westerners are never exposed to Carnatic music.
Perhaps you mean that most Westerners, in your experience, don't like it
when they do hear it. I regret to say that that is my experience too.
But a growing number of us are enjoying it, I'm glad to say.

Post by Classical Indian dancer
think that is it easier to learn to appreciate it by watching
Bharatanatyam,

I don't agree: it just adds a further level that is not understandable.
If our sample Westerner has enough knowledge of Indian dance to
understand it, then he will be familiar with the music already. If
[s]he has enough knowledge of Indian religion and myth to get an idea of
what is being represented then, again, they probably are already
familiar with the music. Personally, I'm not so keen on Bharatanatyam.

Post by Classical Indian dancer
for example, because music is so intricately connected
with the movements of the dancer. I mean, real dancers, not the
so-called "senior artists" who are well-off and politically
well-connected despite being obviously overweight, terribly clumsy,
deaf and lacking in basic training.

You don't like them then? Let's take a more positive view: at least
Indian culture, unlike the West, does not so readily discard its female
artists on the basis of a few added years and a few added pounds.

Post by Classical Indian dancer
Myself, I got interested in finding Bharatanatyam after watching Medha
Hari ( www.MedhaHari.com ), a young girl from Madras,

PS... That's quite a web site, and, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed watching
some of the videos; she's great. *IMHO*

Post by Nick H (UK)
And will you still enjoy her dancing when she is 30 years older, a
little larger and can't move with quite the same lightness? When she has
become established, senior, and (hopefully for her) well off?

Post by Classical Indian dancer
who is believed to be the
incarnation of one of the 23 apsaras (heavenly dancers).

Hmmm; excuse my cynicism

Post by Classical Indian dancer
Does anybody know any other contemporary genuises like her?

...who will have been taught, quite likely, by your "Senior Artists"...

[Balwant Dixit]

My observation is that Westerners, who are interested in Western
classical music, appreciate Karnatic instrumental music much more than
the Hindustani instrumental or vocal music. The reason may be that most
of the Karanatic classical music (e.g. Krithis) is pre composed and
each item is relatively short. However, the general Western audience
might find Hindustani instrumental music more appealing, particularly if
the performance has more rhythm based compositions (i.e. madhyalaya and
fast gats) .........Balwant Dixit