I have noticed a petition going around for making classical music a compulsory subject in Indian schools. As much as I would like to see young people take an interest in music I cannot agree with this idea. Why even use the term classical? It is a borrowed concept from the West that is irrelevant in the overall Indian musical context. Mixed in the Victorian-era caste/class obsession, in north india Brahminism couldn’t dominate with the huge majority of vocalists being either Muslims or from the tawaif community even if some ustads become more brahmin than brahmins (Dagar, Alladiya Khan). I don’t know if there is a Hindutva motivation behind the idea of promoting classical music. If there is, it is highly suspect. What is classical music? Is it really something so different from popular music, be it k.l. saigal, lata mangeshkar or coke studio? Have a look at sa re ga ma talent show over the years- the integration of “classical” is omnipresent. Music directors’ connections with classical music have always been highlighted and their excellent compositions appreciated by any classical musician i have ever known. I believe music should be a compulsory subject in schools (as should sports), but not classical music. I can see the approach envisioned- ragas, taals, thaats, etc. etc. Is there any other model? Aneesh Pradhan and Shubha Mudgal have done something important in organising a seminar in Benares on teaching music in schools and he has recently written on the subject at Scrollin.com with video from the seminar. Here is interesting discussion of the subject with many good ideas. I think whatever the model, songs have to be the basis of music education. Theory, ala Bhatkhande will turn the subject into another boring turn-off for students, like Hindi, maths, science, geography etc. In Western countries music is a subject- but never western classical music. Any suggestion in favor of such an idea would be ridiculed eventhough any parent would be thrilled to have a child passionate about Bach rather than kanye. What would be taught if music were made a subject? I can think of nothing better than old film songs. The compositions and lyrics are often excellent, they are catchy, easy to learn, fun, and there is no communal connotation (as would be the case with bhajans or qawalis). Anyone talented with these songs can easily continue on in any musical direction. Look at the winners of sa re ga ma over the years. They were outstanding singers. Who cares if it isn’t classical.
