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From the archive, 11 October 1958: Ravi Shankar on the 'introvert' music of India From the archive, 11 October 1958: Ravi Shankar on the 'introvert' music of India
(about 3 hours later)
One of India's greatest musicians, Mr Ravi Shankar, gave a recital on the sitar, the most popular Indian stringed instrument, at the Manchester University Union last night. On the stage a grand piano was pushed into the wings with only one leg showing, like a symbol of how far we were from what Indians call 'western music.' Indian music depends largely on the spontaneity of improvisation, and there can be some dull patches with the inspiration of the players flags. Or at least so it had seemed in previous sitar recitals by less talented players than Mr Shankar. But, as he said himself last night, 'contact with the listener' is all important; and with a largely Indian audience, responding readily to a recital so evocative and nostalgic, he had perhaps the perfect incentive for an outstanding performance.One of India's greatest musicians, Mr Ravi Shankar, gave a recital on the sitar, the most popular Indian stringed instrument, at the Manchester University Union last night. On the stage a grand piano was pushed into the wings with only one leg showing, like a symbol of how far we were from what Indians call 'western music.' Indian music depends largely on the spontaneity of improvisation, and there can be some dull patches with the inspiration of the players flags. Or at least so it had seemed in previous sitar recitals by less talented players than Mr Shankar. But, as he said himself last night, 'contact with the listener' is all important; and with a largely Indian audience, responding readily to a recital so evocative and nostalgic, he had perhaps the perfect incentive for an outstanding performance.
Mr Shankar was the first to introduce Yehudi Menuhin to what the famous violinist called 'the fascinating, highly evolved and refined music of India,' and Menuhin has paid a tribute to him for 'some of the most inspiring moments I have ever lived in music.' Mr Shankar stressed last night the 'introvert' quality of Indian music; he did not add it, but many other Indians have, that much of western music strikes an Indian as too organised, hearty, and slap-on-the-back – or too 'extrovert,' as Mr Shankar might have put it. He asked last night's audience to follow him with their feelings; they could think later.Mr Shankar was the first to introduce Yehudi Menuhin to what the famous violinist called 'the fascinating, highly evolved and refined music of India,' and Menuhin has paid a tribute to him for 'some of the most inspiring moments I have ever lived in music.' Mr Shankar stressed last night the 'introvert' quality of Indian music; he did not add it, but many other Indians have, that much of western music strikes an Indian as too organised, hearty, and slap-on-the-back – or too 'extrovert,' as Mr Shankar might have put it. He asked last night's audience to follow him with their feelings; they could think later.
Many western audiences, he added, had been surprised how appreciative he and his tabla player were of each other's performance during the recital; 'when I play and the tabla shakes his head, they sometimes think it means he doesn't like what I am playing.'
There was a loud laugh about that from the audience.		Many western audiences, he added, had been surprised how appreciative he and his tabla player were of each other's performance during the recital; 'when I play and the tabla shakes his head, they sometimes think it means he doesn't like what I am playing.'
There was a loud laugh about that from the audience.
It is the relationship between player and audience - the 'contact' Mr Shankar mentioned - that is hardest for an English audience to understand. An Indian audience does not bow to Mr Shankar's great classical reputation and keep its applause until the end.It is the relationship between player and audience - the 'contact' Mr Shankar mentioned - that is hardest for an English audience to understand. An Indian audience does not bow to Mr Shankar's great classical reputation and keep its applause until the end.
They interrupted last night, talked, laughed, and almost at one exchange between tabla and sitar seemed to become part of the recital. One refers to 'exchange' between the instruments because this is part of the tradition; last night sitar and tabla, imitating each other, seemed almost to be fighting a musical duel, much to the audience's enjoyment.They interrupted last night, talked, laughed, and almost at one exchange between tabla and sitar seemed to become part of the recital. One refers to 'exchange' between the instruments because this is part of the tradition; last night sitar and tabla, imitating each other, seemed almost to be fighting a musical duel, much to the audience's enjoyment.
Mr Shankar compared the audience's participation to a Spanish crowd crying 'Olé.' It emphasised again that for comparisons with western music, one must go to jazz with its intense response from an audience and its emphasis on the importance of mood and feelings.Mr Shankar compared the audience's participation to a Spanish crowd crying 'Olé.' It emphasised again that for comparisons with western music, one must go to jazz with its intense response from an audience and its emphasis on the importance of mood and feelings.
The most moving moments in last night's recital came with the long solo raga, with the tabla quiet for once, and Mr Shankar and his large sighing instruments on their own, probing what seemed to be, by the reactions, the accumulated memories of an audience far from home.The most moving moments in last night's recital came with the long solo raga, with the tabla quiet for once, and Mr Shankar and his large sighing instruments on their own, probing what seemed to be, by the reactions, the accumulated memories of an audience far from home.
More reviews from the archive More Ravi Shankar reviews from the archive
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