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the-south-asian.com October 2000 |
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RONU MAZUMDAR: Enriching Mainstream Fusion
Considered by many as a worthy successor to Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Ronu Mazumdar is a bridge bringing together musical traditions. A string of awards, many albums of fusion music with leading names in the world of classical music, a musical score for the celebrated Hollywood film, Primary Colours and a Grammy nomination - Ronu is striving for more. by Anurag Yadav
Ronu Mazumdar's life reads like a crisp script. Not merely a story of a small town lad making it big but a series of struggles and finally, the sweet smell of success. "I treasure every moment of my musical quest - right from the days my father initiated me into classical music till this moment." His father, a struggling musician in Varanasi in the seventies, migrated to Mumbai for better professional prospects. Ronu remembers those tough initial years but maintains that struggle is very important for an artist. Two of Ronu's latest albums, In Search of Life by Universal and Mysticism On Woodwinds by Magnasound are making waves. The first is a jugalbandi with Swiss pianist Christian Seiffert. It blends the pure melody of classical Indian ragas with the structured western music rendered with remarkable finesse on the piano. The second is a solo recording of the morning raga series where he plays the languorous 'Nat Bhairavi'. For a classical instrumentalist, Ronu Mazumdar is quite avant garde without consciously meaning to be so. He is not unduly worried by the criticisms of the puritans who frown on classical pundits dabbling in popular music. " I think a classical musician is better equipped to elevate the standards of popular music. Of course, this in no way means lowering standards of classical rendition." Conscious of his 'sadhna' he takes time to practice everyday. " Do you know," he asks, " that Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasiya played the flute in the film, Hero No. 1? Does it take away from his greatness? The true artist is devoted to his music and not to its context." He has himself played the flute in Gulzar's award winning film Maachis in which, perhaps for the very first time, a flutist's contribution in the film music is actually credited in the titles. The music of the big Hollywood hit, Primary Colours just happened, according to him. Ry Coder, the Grammy-awarded guitarist and John Hassels on the trumpet actually recorded the Wide Sky composition in a church in Santa Barbara. It was a part of the album Facinoma. Ry Coder liked it so much that he used it in Primary Colours for which he was composing the music. Though involved in fusion music, Ronu has never ignored his classical heritage and often plays at music festivals and concerts in India. "There are two things I want to emphasise. Fusion music is not about mish-mashing two traditions but enhancing the beauty by complementing each other. Thus fusion is not a style or fad wherein a gimmick is given respectability but it is a bridge that serves to bring together musical traditions." The other thing Ronu loves is his deep felt joy when he plays for audiences in India. "The reponse in India is amazing" he says and adds, " One of my main concerns is to reach out to the masses to banish 'bad music', the sort of 'promoted music' that is being dished out in the name of popular entertainment. That's why I fully endorse the entry of classical artists into the mainstream music world . Ultimately it will help the cause of classical music and also enrich the mainstream." Dismissng suggestions of classical music doyens frowning on the likes of Shubha Mudgal's forays on MTV, he feels it is a good thing. " Even her classical concerts attract more crowds now. How can anyone say it detracts?" The years of uphill toil seem to have steeled his resolve and he speaks strongly for more corporate involvement in promotion of good music. " Music is not a one day cricket match but for a fraction of the money spent on cricket, a world of good music can be achieved."
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