How does AIR grade artistes?
Topic started by Diwakar (@ 206.175.177.136) on Wed Mar 8 15:17:31 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
I am curious to know how AIR grades artistes. I have heard performers on Chennai AIR at 8.30 A.M. and I am told that they are 'A' or 'A' Top artistes. Unfortunately, some of the performances that I have heard are mediocre, to say the least. On the other, I have heard some 3-4 P.M. concerts which are brilliant. Do the listeners have a say in this gradation?
Responses:
- Old responses
- From: IR (@ columbo.lifeworks.com)
on: Wed Apr 26 11:35:34 EDT 2000
very true narayanan - they use their "influence" all the way ::)))
I have also seen one school (judge panel) demoting candidates from another school.... you must be aware of this ::::::::))))))))))
- From: narayanan (@ 195.224.238.98)
on: Wed Apr 26 12:02:44 EDT 2000
IR:
Very much aware of this....
Vaigal Gnanaskandan does not like some schools.
Pallavi Venkatrama Iyer (flute) used to be a judge. He does not like people performing Sarvalagu swarams. He expects lots of kanakku...
Prof.TNK does not like the Lalgudi pani...
Prof TRS does not like any other pani other than his own...
Rajam Iyer does not like a person if he really sings well :--)))
I know some AIR artists who have an aversion to non-professional musicians. They are the ones who record the audition tapes. The service will be very poor for an amateur musician.
The pakka vaadhyam for an amateur musician's performance (air concert) would be substandard or would play without any interest (their names will not be announced during the concert)
It is interesting to note that there are some Tampura artists who have great influence inside the AIR premises.
....the list goes on and on and on...
- From: IR (@ columbo.lifeworks.com)
on: Wed Apr 26 13:46:31 EDT 2000
Narayanan - very very very true - what you just said aboout the AIR nilaya vidhwans
- From: nandini (@ 1cust215.tnt9.charlotte.nc.da.uu.net)
on: Wed Apr 26 16:48:32 EDT 2000
Narayanan> All that you have listed are so true!
>>Tambura artists have great influence inside AIR premises>> This is also very very true...It has happened to me. I remember one AIR Competition where I noticed that the Tambura artist's daughter won the prize...I also remember seeing the TAmbura Artist going inside the Judges room and talking to them.....
It is sad for people who have no big names attached to them or have nobody to give a push. Even if these artists' children are good...it's not fair!
- From: M.Balasubramoniam (@ )
on: Thu Jul 20 09:25:08
A very interesting topic to be discussed in detail for saving the life of sincere and dedicated musicians and instrumentalists. I have been noticing the functioing of the Audition Board of AIR for more than 30 years now . The grading system through listening to the tapes are to be completely stopped. The reason with examples will justify my comments . Once an MAB preliminary audion is conducted in the local All India Radio Station where a musician or instrumentalist apply for audition , a committee consisting of JUDGES who are supposed to be eminent artists in various field after listening to the Music and instrumental performance decides regarding selecting the artist. The artists who are selected in the preliminary audition is invited for a recording session in which a vocalist is accompanied by a mridangam artist who is a staff artist in the particular station . The artist who faces the first recording challenge in an air conditioned studio is totally dictated by the sound engineer who is in charge of the recording as regards the micro phone adjustments , then comes the Thambura man who always hesitates to find a Tambura for the right pitch of the Vocalist.Then it is the role of the Mridangam staff artist . He comes with an instrument for a particular pitch may be C sharp or D and insists the new artist to sing for a that is fixed by the Tambura player and Mridangam player . A voclaist who has a pitch of "A" is always in great trouble. The artist who sits before the microphone for recording is totally upset due to the various directions given by the technician, Tambura Player and the Mridangam Player . With great struggle , but due to the blessings of the gurus the artist completes his first recording assignment . The tapes used for the recording the music of the voclaist is always very old and of poor quality due to replaying the same tape several times . From the time the recording is finished , the artist starts running behind the programme executive or other influential officials of the All India Radio to get the number of the tape inorder to pass on the number to the Judging committee using his maximum influence both Political and personal . A recording done at the Banglore station in Karnataka State will be heard by a juding committee of an another State. Here starts the Regionalism in Music. As we all know the presentation of music by various artists from different States will differ in their style of rendering Ragas, Kritis and selection of compositions. If an artist is from Kerala the Judge who listens to the tape in Andhra clearly states that this bhani is from Kerala and need not to be considered. THERE IS NO CRITERIA . THE Speed variation of the recording machine where the Judges are hearing the music, recorded in another Station changes the voice and quality . The system is totally different for a staff artist working in an AIR. There are instances where recordings of Great Masters are presented in the name of the staff artists and the Judging committee awards A TOP grade directly to a B grade artist who has only an experience of 3 years in the study of the art . SO WHERE WILL THE REAL TALENTED , SINCERE , DEDICATED MUSICIANS, INSTRUMENTALISTS WHO HAVE MORE THAN 25 YEARS EXPEIENCE IN CONCERT FIELD GO. I feel that the AIR will stop broadcasting the recordings of LATE Great Masters in the near future since they will not be able to attend for an audition before a Judging committee . THE ALL INDIA RADIO should be free from Political influences and LIVE audition before a non-influential body comprising of Music Promoters,Senior Vidwans , should be conducted . For AWARDING A grade and A TOP , age and their experience , service in the concert field etc. to be considered as the main criteria.
Sorry for the long note . Would like to express more findings of the Fowl games of AIR and DOORDARSHAN
For DASKHINA BHARATHA SANGEETHA PRACHARA SABHA
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Mon Jul 31 08:45:54 EDT 2000
As an Outsider I have found these postings fascinating: I am curious to know if AIR grading makes a real practical difference to a proffessional musician. Does it have a real bearing on the number of engagements, remuneration, etc that they are likely to receive?
- From: narayanan (@ 194.193.249.33)
on: Mon Jul 31 09:05:25 EDT 2000
Nick:
It does make a practical difference when you are a professional musician.(sort of an endorsement from the government.It is a prestige issue as well. The remuneration is quite good (for a professional) as you get to perform once a month and for a program that lasts half hour you are paid three times as much you get from a Sabha concert.
- From: Nadopasaka (@ adppp12.buffnet.net)
on: Mon Jul 31 10:27:32 EDT 2000
To say nothing of the reach of the air-waves, the supposedly larger audiences and the more benign delayed audience response, if any.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Tue Aug 1 08:44:31 EDT 2000
Narayanan...
professional musicians get paid so little for live performances??
I have the impression that Hindustani musicians wouldn't even answer the phone for what Carnatic musicians, even senior ones, are paid. Is this true, or is it only the top few?
- From: narayanan (@ 194.193.249.33)
on: Tue Aug 1 09:33:10 EDT 2000
Nick:
>>professional musicians get paid so little for live performances?? <<
Very true for Sabha concerts. (even for top musicians)
- From: Nadopasaka (@ ahppp3.buffnet.net)
on: Tue Aug 1 09:45:51 EDT 2000
Nick, It is sometimes difficult for outsiders, even among the natives to appreciate that 'professional' doesn't necessarily mean 'top dollar' at least for many activities in Indian music. A lifetime of Kumar Gandharva may slowly change this 'shopkeeper/salesman' approach of the durbar driven HM performers. The patronages of the early vaggeyakaaras in CM was not meant to render them wealthy. Many Carnatic musicians don't even have phones. And sometimes even the best exchange rate brings the artiste no respect for the listener.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Wed Aug 2 07:05:03 EDT 2000
Yes; after all I have never experienced the local scene and cannot possibly know what it is like from just seeing the musicians that I meet visiting UK. Only three or four I have visited in Chennai who seemed to have a lifestyle comparable with living on quite a reasonable salary in London. But for every one who has this much success I guess there must be thousands that do not. It could be said that this is true of Western artists too, but we do at least [in UK] have Social Security etc.
- From: Bhagyam (@ 203.197.152.43)
on: Sat Aug 5 10:49:39 EDT 2000
grading in AIR requires timely checking. it will be better if the standard of performance is evaluated once in a while. chances should be given for all auditioned artists without any prejudice,.
- From: Bhagyam (@ 203.197.152.43)
on: Sat Aug 5 10:49:59 EDT 2000
grading in AIR requires timely checking. it will be better if the standard of performance is evaluated once in a while. chances should be given for all auditioned artists without any prejudice,.
- From: saba (@ dt041n07.san.rr.com)
on: Thu Jan 8 00:53:52
This is a hilarious topic for discussion. What works is "corruption" - intellectual, moral and ethical. Its widely practiced in every walk of life and why should the music field be any different? A vast majority of the artists who sing the compositions of the trinity and other saints don't practice an iota of the spirit of those compositions. I would further venture to say that "money and political influence will buy any award and any title". There is always a - a right price that is right". Long live hypocracy!
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