Classical Music

In Finding the Raga, Amit Chaudhuri reflects on his experiences with the learning, practice and thinking of Khayal

Chaudhuri's essays are autobiography, poetry, history, musicology flitting in and out, drawing from each other.

Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple foregrounds the fundamental universal conditions of man as artist

In its depiction of the quest, not always hopeful, and ultimate non-success of its protagonist, a Hindustani classical vocalist, The Disciple projects a relentless, dull and gritty unrest.

What makes Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple an unprecedented onscreen study of Indian classical music

Many films approach classical music or the musician as sacred – invariably rendering the portrayal hackneyed. Chaitanya Tamhane’s film brings the focus back on the mundane and the routine.

Ire against folk singer's win in Bengali reality show is reminder that folk music is still viewed as 'poor country cousin'

Folk music carries within it a cultural context that makes it an uneasy fit in a talent show format, where versatility across genres is key.

A year since India's COVID-19 lockdown, an overview of how artists and cultural institutions navigated a crisis

Reviewing a year since nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, in culture coverage at Firstpost. Part 1 looks at how artists and institutions responded to the crisis.

#MeToo case at Gundecha Dhrupad Sansthan deepens as students allege mishandling of sexual harassment plaints

In a collective statement shared by some students of the Dhrupad Sansthan with Firstpost, several issues have been flagged with respect to the gurukul’s official response to the harassment allegations against Akhilesh and late Ramakant Gundecha.

Dhrupad Sansthan in sexual misconduct row; Akhilesh Gundecha steps down amid harassment allegations

Amid allegations of sexual misconduct, aired on social media this week, Akhilesh Gundecha, a noted pakhawaj artiste, stepped down from his position at the Dhrupad Sansthan.

On Teachers' Day, Kala Ramnath remembers Pandit Jasraj: 'Even if he was sick, he would fulfil his commitments'

'A celebrity of his stature would even remember someone whom he had met for a very brief period...He also had a great sense of humour. More than being his students, he treated us like his children,' says violinist Kala Ramnath on her guru, Pandit Jasraj

From Khayal gayaki's glorious past to its changing future, tracing the trajectory of this ancient form of classical music

The story of Khayal's origin meanders just like the interpretative practice it calls for. The art form is ailed by growing commercialisation and a decrease in innovation, but practitioners are hopeful that a new generation of musicians will expand its scope

Pandit Jasraj's students highlight the maestro's legacy with stories of his compassion and generosity

Pandit Jasraj was not just musician extraordinaire, but also a humble, doting, and caring teacher. From Sanjeev Abhyankar to Kavita Krishnamurthy, his students remember their beloved Guru ji, and commemorate his profound artistic legacy.