Carnatic versus Hindustani debate

(An excerpt from my blog ramatoons.wordpress.com, Of concerts,tiffin and taal)

“There’s no way I’ll stay in Delhi during the Chennai music season”, announced my mom, a retired classical musician and an ardent rasika.

“But Ma, there are classical concerts here in Delhi too”, I said.

“It’s not the same, Rama. The songs by our composers are something else. Also, there is no taal in your Hindustani music but in Carnatic the taal system is so complex.”

“Wait a minute, of course there are taals in Hindustani music”, I said taken aback.

“But then the audience doesn’t join in the way Carnatic rasikas do”, she said with a lot of pride as if that decided the Carnatic vs Hindustani debate.

I thought about what she said about Carnatic rasikas and taal. The audience calls the shots, really.

“Also, the tiffin in the sabhas is the only reason your Appa accompanies me. Do they serve tiffin here?”, she asked, knowing the answer fully well.

“Of course upcoming artists are struggling in both Carnatic and Hindustani. No one wants to hear them until they become M.S Subbalakshmi amma or Parveen Sultana ji”, said Amma, finally finding a meeting ground.