Well, actually I was researching a little on a semi-classical form of the 'dadra' variety. Obviously hence one came across a lot of videos and images. Thus it struck me rather obviously that in our media-ted times, songs are more 'seen' than heard.
Do I mean that songs are visualised better? No, not exactly! ' Coz even in the black-n-white era, there used to artistically simply great visualisation of songs, and despite the lack of advanced technology available now.
No, I am not being old-fashioned. Let me give you a few examples to clarify what I want to say. In Maharashtra, there is this folk form called 'lavani'. THE name associated with 'lavani' singing is Sulochana Chavan.
The 'lavani's' she has sung include the rustic "padala piklay amba", the sensuous "kheltana rang Bai" or a 'baithak' song of the "kalidar kapuri" variety, and so on. If you watch her videos/interviews, you would realise that her voice carries the naughty sensuality of the lyrics, of the folk form.
She herself, however, is simplicity itself. Her eyes are downcast, she is dressed the simplest way in a saree that covers her entirely. Not a single feel of the song does she express through her gestures or facial expressions, while her throat explores the quite raunchy 'lavani' feel most emotively. One hears her, one listens to her singing, one never sees her.
Look at any of the 'anywhere any time' singing contests today. The contestants, the judges, the jury, and, yes, the spectators are emoting hugely in such a way that the best actors may blush! The contestants and the judges are better dressed and decked up than models and actresses.
They emote a little through their voices, and more through their gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. The most 'music'al on such platforms are the musicians, right? Rest all is (melo)drama!
Look at Lataji singing in studios or in public programmes. Compare it with the exhibitionism of any of the major singers, (classical, filmy, semi-classical), currently famous. You would notice the difference, I suppose
Sure the artist must be cleanly, decently dressed. Yet, should how the artist looks matter more than how the artist performs? Oh, yes, in this context, I must say that in such contests children singing, dancing to the raunchiest 'lyrics' appals me, I must say!
Well, currently the look seems to matter more than the melody. Such, such are the times that the cover counts more than the book!
Pratima@ Performance seems to out-smart purity of art these days. Is it an advance on or a regression of the art of singing when singers are better actors than crooners!?!
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