Intercultural encounters in South India
A talk by Sumathi Krishnan and Srinivas Reddy followed by a conversation with Deepti Navaratna.
Sep 11, 2020
https://bangaloreinternationalcentre.org/event/the-world-in-carnatic-music/

The monolithic history of Carnatic music, now branded as the classical music of South India indeed reveals the journey of this music seeking an uncomplicated identity in post-colonial India. From the overtly religious spaces of the temple, to the multicultural courts in South Indian kingdoms, and finally to the elevation of its status to a ‘national’ and ‘classical music’ in a republic – the music has been enriched by its many changes in performance contexts, consumers and broadcasters. Yet, these intercultural encounters are somewhat not credited with enough historical memory. The Courts of South India were witness to the many multicultural encounters – the somewhat irksome presence of the English bands peddling European Art Music, the seemingly identifiable yet irreconcilable differences with Hindustani ‘khyal’, and the musicological ideas from the middle-east and Central Asia which trickled into Carnatic thought. The discussion will explore these beautiful silhouettes of a very hybrid past in Carnatic music.