(Image source from: livemint.com)

From Boston to San Diego, Indian classical music and dance schools are thriving not only constricted to big cities but also to smaller towns such as Dayton, Ohio, or Nashville and Tennessee. They not only have teachers but even sabhas that host public presentations by musicians and dancers visiting from India and by US-based artists.

Thyagaraja Festival has become the astronomical carnatic music festival outside India. Smaller festivals are multi - day events at San Diego and Chicago providing huge opportunities to enjoy the music and dance of local and visiting artists.

“On a recent visit to California, I am asked to advise a young music student. As a professional Carnatic musician, it’s a request I get frequently. “I can sing O Rangasayee too!” Expressed a girl, “I’ve learnt four varnams and six kritis.” She then effortlessly sings a varnamin the vilamba kaalam (slow speed) and then moves on to the duritha kaalam (fast speed). I am torn between delight at her innocence and dismay at how a child has been pushed to learn a song far too soon—well before she is ready for it. Much as I would like to believe that this was an exception, in my travels across the US I found that this appears to be the norm, largely driven by the growing popularity of children’s music competitions.”

The social media trends in the Indian immigrant community have given rise to a perfect storm.

“Competitions, for children function as a standard for parents to measure the progress of their children as of teachers. You might hear many parents exclaim that their children have won a prize in a varnam-singing competition. Meanwhile, teachers can point to students who have made it to the competition finals. For the sabhas, the proof is in the pudding. Competitions fill the chairs, as parents who would otherwise not attend are anxious to be seen, and have their child heard,” says Charulatha Shankar, member of the Great Lakes aradhana committee.

By Sowmya Sangam