I didn't mean to say Tagore mixed a little bit of everything to create
his music, although it may have sounded that way. What I meant to say
was that he was inspired by all those genres of music, but what came
out of his brain can only be described as "RabindraSangeet", so
distinctly and uniquely his own.
First of all, he was a phenomenal song writer/composer who got better
and better through his 66 years of music making, during which he
composed more than 2500 songs. Initially, he drew his inspiration
primarily from Hindustani and Dhrupadi music, then he could take
elements from Western melodies and create Bengali songs that are
primarily Indian in nature. As he grew older, the baul and folk tunes
of Bengal had an increasingly deeper impact on his music. However, all
along he wrote songs that are primarily based on Ragasangeet, he never
made an effort to create a particular raga, but at the same time, never
allowed himslef to be bound by the confines of a particular raga
either, if the Raga could fit itself into his beautiful poetry, it's
good, if in the process he joined a few ragas or created a new one, so
be it. Words and emotions played an equally big part in his music. To
him the thoughts and the mood were more important, sometimes they were
expressed in very simple tunes, sometimes thru complex melodies,
depending on what he wanted to convey, but he never wanted to make his
music a showcase of classical acrobatism. To keep the natural rhythm of
his poetry, he formed a lot of new talas as well. It's easy to discount
him as a great poet but an average composer, but it takes a lifetime to
understand the depths of his music - Tagore was very confident that his
music will outlive all his other artistic creations. Arpita is right,
he wanted to take the classical music to the masses, and at the same
time, he also wanted to take the music of the masses (folk) to the
purists. After all, the classical music has originated from the folk
music.
Koushik
Post by a***@gmail.comTo understand Tagore & his music, you would have to read about his life
first. As I understand his work, from an early age he had been trained
by musicians of the Vishnupur gharana. When he began composing, in the
initial phase it was totally classical-based songs. Later on he moved
on to other influences. In fact, his works can perhaps be divided into
3 phases, with the early phase being totally inspired by classical
music. Perhaps what he wanted to do was to take classical music closer
to the ordinary man. There are many books that can help you find out
more - if you are interested.
arpita
Post by s.bhoumanI have heard of this Ravindra Sangeet but not really heard any of it.
If it were a kitchadi of all the western, carnatic, hindustani etc.,
how far is it different from film music? I suppose regard for Tagore
should not get mixed up with Sangeet. May be it is too much to say for
a person who has no exposure to it.
As I understand no new music can ever be invented and all the
permutation and combinations are already available in CCM or HCM. A few
like BMK claim to have invented a new raag, I do not know how far it is
really new or consistent.
Experts, please enlighten me.
Post by k***@cox.netPost by AkilaHi!
What raag is the song "Piyu bole piya bole" from movie Parineeta based
on?
Thanks!
Akila
It is based on a Rabindrasangeet (songs composed by Tagore) - "Phule
phule dhale dhale". In fact, the hero (played by Saif Ali) admits to
young Parineeta that the sur "Tagore ka hai, stupid" in the movie.
Tagore wrote this song inspired by the Scottish tune, "Ye banks and
braes". Lot of Tagore songs cannot be categorzed under one particular
raga, they are more often jod-ragas or mishra ragas with ample elements
from Bengali Kirtan, Baul melodies, Tappas as well as Western and
Carnatic music.
Thanks,
Koushik