| Event Title: | ISAS Seminar & Musical Performance |
| Topic: | Indian's Classical Music's Cultural Traditions and Peace |
| Date/Time: | 22 January 2015 | 00:00 - 11:17 |
| Venue: | UNDP Auditorium |
| Speaker/s: | Ms Smita Nagdev, Renowned Sitar Artiste |
| Description: | Ms Smita Nagdev's sitar performance will lead to an introduction of basic form and structure of Indian classical music. She will discuss salient features of Indian classical music and the classification of melodies ('ragas') based on various moods of nature, and different phases of the day (morning, afternoon, evening and night), ragas depicting seasons (spring, rainy, autumn etc.). This will be followed by a discussion on her personal experiences, highlighting social and cultural practices which shape the Indian classical music's rich tradition. These include the'Guru-Shishya Parampara' (Master-Disciple tradition), which is the key-stone of this ancient trade. This tradition has some nuances, such as, the guru treats the disciple as his own child and the disciple devotes his life to the service of his guru. Learning music through the oral tradition requires disciplined routines and rigorous practice. She will discuss learning etiquettes: manners, attitude of humility and respect for others. The teachings include not just music but other aspects of life as well. She will use photographs and sound recordings to elucidate the above. The third part of her presentation will highlight Indian Classical music's approach to peace, the peace of mind which music gives to the performer and the listener the ability to touch and to awaken the innermost feelings of a human being. Ms Smita Nagdev will highlight the social and the sonic- which are intimately related and play a big role to impart positive values, peace of mind. This she reckons is the greatest gift classical Indian music offers to the world. |