Punjab: Immediate success is not possible in classical music

Punjab: Hailing from the abode of Lord Krishna, singer Aastha Goswami’s singing reflects Vrindavan, which is also her native place. Trained under the tutelage of Pandit Arun Bhaduri and Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi, Aastha has been performing across India for over 20 years, and has several awards and honours to her credit. A listed artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Aastha has been performing since 1995 and has several performances to her credit. Aastha Goswami was recently in Ludhiana to perform at a concert. She spoke to Manav Mandar during the event. Excerpts from the interview:

Tell us something about your singing and how being from Vrindavan influenced it?

Living in Vrindavan, the cultural-spiritual hub of Vaishnavism/Krishna worship, hones my singing. Being deeply rooted in the famous Kirana (gharana) classical tradition of Hindustani music, I also dabble in the stream of devotional music. Padavali is my own unique style of singing, in which the intricacies of Khayal singing are laden with deep emotions. My collection is full of classical compositions and Thumris and I have a rich and rare collection of compositions from the Braj region like Krishna-Radha Janmotsav Badhai Gaan, Jhoola, Ashtayam Raga Seva, songs of different seasons and festivals like Hori, Basant, Sawan etc. Every festival and season is celebrated in Vrindavan and it reflects in my singing.

How did you develop a love for music?

The atmosphere at my home was such that I was surrounded by music and art right from birth. My mother loved classical music and we have only listened to classical music at our home too. My father was in the service sector and wherever we went, the new place taught me a lot in terms of music. My father loved painting. So, at home I was always surrounded by art and music and that is how I developed a love for music.

At what age did you start singing?

I was four and a half years old when my aunt saw me singing ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ for the first time. We can say that this was the beginning of my singing journey. All my aunts and my mother had learnt singing and seeing my interest they started teaching me. They used to give me small lessons according to my age.

Who was your first guru and at what age did you give your first performance?

I received my first formal training from Pandit Sita Saran Singh Chauhan and the foundation of my singing was laid by him. In school, I used to perform regularly in functions. I was a student of convent school and was part of the school choir. But my first formal performance was at the age of 15.

What do you have to say about the interest of the young generation in classical music?

The current generation believes in instant coffee and instant noodles. They also want instant success, which is not possible in the case of classical music. Uploading videos on social media and getting likes is not success, classical music requires years of riyaaz. Kids these days want to become stars overnight and don’t have the patience. In classical music, sur is of utmost importance and practice is a must to master it. Find the right guru and follow his path.

How do you view reality shows in the context of classical singing?

Reality shows have both pros and cons and today I would like to talk only about the positive aspects. These shows have certainly given a lot of information about classical music and taught the younger generation that classical music is the foundation and one has to learn it to master the art of singing. Reality shows focusing on classical music help increase its appreciation and education by showcasing talent, providing an accessible platform and engaging new audiences. This approach can lead to more formal education and integration of classical music along with promoting music learning and the art form at large.

Have you ever thought of playback singing?

I was busy getting talim (education) for classical music and wanted to make my mark in classical music first because playback singing takes a lot of time. We have classical singers like Ghulam Ali and Parveen Sultana who have sung in films and have given great songs while maintaining their classical style. If I get an offer in which I will retain my classical singing, I will not shy away from doing it because it is a medium to reach a wider audience.