Raga_Mala
panchamkauns wrote:
Who are all these santoor listeners?!
Just a few examples to respond to the folks who have argued that there isn't really an acceptance of santoor in ICM. Not an exhaustive list, but it does shed some light I think.
I have heard Zakir Hussain say in interviews that santoor, as pioneered by Shivkumar-ji, is a legitimate instrument.
Hariprasad Chaurasia also seems to think so, as evidenced by his long career of collaboration with Shivkumar Sharma.
Shivji is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1986)! In the category of HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (p.s. Bhajan Sopori, another santoor player, won the award in 1993)
Observe the crowds of expat Indians and foreigners alike who flocked to see Shivji and gave him ovations in Berlin and other continental cities (and buying his albums) performing, not folk compositions and short songs, but full-length recitals on such ragas as Yaman, Bhopali, Kedari, Bilaskhani Todi, Rageshri, Charukeshi, etc...
I am not arguing against Shivji or his acclaim, some of the music is quite fun to listen to. I am just pointing out that there is definitely a subset of both the professional ICM literati AND the listening public which considers santoor music as valid/true ICM
"Not all is good that bears an ancient name,
Nor need we every modern poem blame;
Wise men approve the good, or new, or old;
The foolish critic follows where he's told."
-Kalidas, Malavikagnimitra I.i.2
Trans. Arthur Ryder
