A delectable number

Sir, - The Folioon music, coinciding with the current music season, is a delectable number packed with rich contributions from reputed musicians and critics. ``How loud can `music' be''? by Mr. G. Dwarakanath has vividly delineated on the musical subtleties and the need to sing the musical notes in such a way as to enhance the beauty of these swara devatas.Needless to dilate, Carnatic music should have a soothing effect on the mind and psyche of the captive audience as opposed to the jarring effect of pop music. ``Singing stars'' by Mr. V. Ramnarayan is an excellent piece which should have kindled nostalgic memories among the readers about the celluloid celebrities, both present and past, who have sung quite a few numbers with considerable elan. ``The power of music'' by Bombay Jayashri Ramnath has expatiated on the various invigorating emotional responses created by music in different individuals and even different responses from the same person at different times. On the whole the Foliois a boon to the common music lovers and connoisseurs alike.

P. K. Varadarajan,

Chennai

Sir, - Those of us who have developed an ear and taste for classical Indian music of both schools would have found Mr. Ramdas Menon's article (Folio,Dec. 3) unexceptionably readable, informative and perceptive. It has brought out the distinctive features of both the systems as well as the merits and shortcomings from the standpoint of one of the other.

After paying glorious tributes to the musical trinity of South India and the unbroken heritage of classicism well over two centuries since their time, Mr. Menon seems to voice some disappointment at the fact that Carnatic music has not taken ``its rightful place in the world scene.'' He therefore exhorts the rising generation of musicians to work harder and pay attention to voice culture as in the West. ``Otherwise, it (Carnatic music) will have to be content with being another (lesser) known form of Indian music.'' There could be room for regret on another score too, namely, the decline of what has been rightly termed the apotheosis of Carnatic music - Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi.It would be a sad day for Carnatic music if the decline lands this apotheosis in the plight to which its Hindustani counterpart in many ways, Dhrupad, has been relegated.

A point to ponder in the matter of voice culture is whether South Indian mentors' eagerness to turn the limelight on their teenage proteges has stood in the way of assiduous practice. There is little evidence of this eagerness in the realm of Hindustani music, but a great deal of arduous ``Riaz'' (Sadhakam).

R. Nityananda,

Secunderabad

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