Chennai Mathematical Institute

Seminars




CMI Arts Initiative Talk
Date: Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Time: 3:30 PM
Venue: Seminar Hall
Carnatic Music — where next?

Sriram V
Editor, Madras Musings.
10-04-24


Abstract

Carnatic Music finds itself at a crossroads. While the recent controversy has seen the art occupy the limelight, albeit briefly, there are bigger and greater threats to its very existence. A dwindling audience base, an association with just one miniscule community, static remuneration levels, compositions more than a century old and impresari who follow a 150 year-old format. How can such an art survive? And yet in the past too this was an art that had faced such challenges and saw itself through. Will Carnatic music learn from the past and reinvent itself? This talk will look at some of these aspects.

An entrepreneur by profession and a historian by passion, Sriram V has over the years emerged as a chronicler of Chennai city, its people and institutions, writing several books on these subjects. He is a columnist for The Hindu and the editor of Madras Musings, the fortnightly dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of the city. A Secretary of the Music Academy, Madras and the Convenor of its Annual Conference, Sriram is known for his talks on history and the heritage walks/tours that he leads regularly in the city and in other parts of India. His latest book Chennai, A Biography is a compilation of the city’s past from prehistory to the present times.