Bengaluru is buzzing with excitement as legendary musician Sanjay Subrahmanyan, often called the “rockstar of Carnatic music,” spoke about changing the classical music scene. At the launch of his memoir, ‘On That Note,’ Subrahmanyan shared his views on how to make Carnatic music more popular and accessible.
He believes that if musicians step out of the traditional boundaries, they can bring new life to the art form. “If you want people to enjoy your music, you need to invite them in,” he said, highlighting the importance of attracting audiences. To make a living as a musician, it’s crucial to bring in a crowd of 3,000 people to support concerts, he noted.
Sanjay, known for sticking to traditional styles, began exploring new changes during the pandemic. He embraced social media, sharing bite-sized pieces of Carnatic music to reach more people. Not only that, but he announced that his live shows would now be available for free on YouTube!
This year, Sanjay joined forces with other musicians to create new styles of music, blending Carnatic with rock, jazz, and blues. He also surprised everyone by singing for a film. Reflecting on his journey, he says boredom pushed him to explore more.
Learning Tamil songs also changed his approach. By focusing on the lyrics, he found that it improved his singing. Sanjay looks back on his career without regrets, believing that art and music should be free to evolve. “Carnatic music is still finding its way,” he stated, reminding us that it’s a young art form despite its long history.
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