JOIN USHer glowing skin, kohl-lined eyes, and the warmth in her smile make musician Shubha Mudgal an approachable person. I realise she has packed so much music in the past decades and wants to do so much more. Whether it’s performing, composing, writing or teaching, her world revolves around music.
As we settle down for a chat over filter coffee, I want to understand how she entered the world of music. With her eyes aglow she takes me back in time to her hometown, Allahabad. “The credit for my being a musician goes to my parents, who took pains to ensure I was trained in the performing arts from my childhood. Although I started learning Kathak at age 4, I was in my teens when my father started taking me for music lessons. My foundation was strong, so it helped me in taking the plunge to be a full-time musician,” she says.
Teacher’s thoughts
Training by well-respected gurus helped her in embracing music wholeheartedly. “I was fortunate to have gurus like the eminent scholar-musician-composer Pandit Ramashreya Jha ‘Ramrang’, Pandit Vinay Chandra Maudgalya and Pandit Vasant Thakar. Later, I learnt stylistic techniques from maestros Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki and Pandit Kumar Gandharva. I also received training in thumri from Naina Devi,” she explains.
The vocalist has kept alive the legacy of her gurus through teaching. “They taught me so generously, so this is my tribute to them. I also love to teach as it’s a form of riyaaz. What intrigues me is the fascinating world of human voice. When I hear my students singing, it’s interesting to realise how each voice is different, like a unique instrument. So, customisation of human voice is a world of its own. Teaching is also like parenting — handling children with different idiosyncracies. And I have to do this by maintaining a certain detachment because, one day, I want them to fly on their own,” she says.
Meant to enjoy
The versatile performer loves to experiment with genres of music. Apart from khayal and thumri — closest to her heart — genres like light classical, sufi and bhajans are part of her repertoire. “My gurus encouraged me to understand other forms of music and gharanas. Perhaps why I have equally enjoyed singing the wedding songs of Uttar Pradesh, Mahamrityunjay Jap, Mann ke Manjeere, Songs Of The Seasons and Surya Upasana.” That’s also why she has presented an amalgam of different musical styles for ballets, telefilms, documentaries and advertisements. No wonder, she has created a musical identity that is uniquely hers.
How does she handle fame? “Fame? Not at all! I feel I’m a student. I still cannot swagger on stage! Each performance is unpredictable. After every performance, my close group of accompanying musicians and I analyse the concert. My husband, Aneesh Pradhan, who plays the tabla, and other artistes are brutally honest with me. The opinion, candour, integrity and honesty that their company brings to my music is too valuable,” says the vocalist.
When asked if youngsters are interested in pursuing Indian classical music professionally, she gives a big yes. “You’ll be surprised to know how keen and incredibly talented they are! But, they have little encouragement and support. Informed patronage of art is missing in our country. It has taken the form of philanthropy instead. This does not bring in stability for the musicians.” But, to upcoming musicians she says, “Yeh aag ka dariya hai doob ke jaana. (This is an ocean of fire, and one has to cross it by drowning). Stay there and dig in your heels.”
Next, she “is in the process of writing a collection of short stories based on the theme of Indian music, which will be published sometime soon.” As an effort to preserve the musical heritage of India, she and her husband have built an online encyclopaedia — sangeetkosh.net, and an online distribution platform for musicians who specialise in Indian music — underscorerecords.com.