A Profound Insight into the World of Indian Music: a talk with Palash Dholakia

An enriching conversation for anyone interested in Indian music, for enjoyment, for personal learning or simply for cultural interest or curiosity about the  endless world of Indian music, which highly differs from western music, even in the most subtle aspects.

Palash Dholakia is a sincere student and professional musician of Indian vocal. He studied bachelor and masters in music at Saurashtra University and is disciple of Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty (a classical vocalist, composer, lyricist and gurudev of the Patiala-Kasur gharana; considered to be one of the proverbial figures of Indian classical music.)

Palash breathed Indian music since he can remember, born in the state of Gujarat, he lived in a family where his ancestors were all deeply connected to classical music. He witnessed as a child his grandfather having conversations with Pandit Ravi Shankar, to whom he was very close. Through this early connection and exposure to refined sources of Indian music, he carries these sounds in his innermost being.

"WHATEVER I AM IN MUSIC, IS ONLY THROUGH THIS BEAUTY OF RAGA MUSIC. I FOUND A BEAUTIFUL WAY OF LIVING — MUSIC ALSO TAUGHT ME THE ART OF LIVING."

A tradition like no other.

We talked about the value for a musician to grow up in the atmosphere of Indian music, the vocal training, the learning attitude, the discipline of the learning, the blessing to find a Guru and the meaning of a Guru in one's path. One can feel that when one embodies a tradition, it is not an effort to communicate in such a clear, humble and competent way showing a total love and deep commitment on the chosen path.

"INDIAN MUSIC IS BASED ON SPONTANEITY, THAT'S WHY THERE'S NO SYLLABUS IN INDIAN MUSIC LEARNING.  THAT'S WHY THERE'S SUCH A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WESTERN AND EASTERN WAY OF LEARNING MUSIC... WE FOLLOW THE GURU-DISCIPLE TRADITION."

The role of a Guru.

The role of a Guru-disciple relationship is to develop oneself as a good human being and as a good musician. A Guru is a much larger scale than a teacher, that's why it is so hard to find a true Guru. A Guru gives you the right understanding.

"MUSIC WILL DEVELOP YOU AS A SIMPLE BEING, BECAUSE BY SEEING THE VASTNESS OF THIS MUSIC WE SEE HOW SMALL WE ARE IN FRONT OF IT. THE ULTIMATE PATH IN INDIAN MUSIC IS TO REACH THAT DIVINITY."

About Mantras presented with music.

Mantras, which are very precious and are from India, need Indian music training and language pronunciation in order to catch the original, authentic sound. Truthfulness is key.

Summary of themes covered in the talk.

• the attitude of simplicity and gratitude
• Indian music learning requires to go inwards
• it's not about performing and entertainment
• being a performer is not a goal but a by-product
• this is a personal journey and it takes time
• commiting to a Guru with blind trust
• the wonder and power of ragas
• mantra singing requires proper learning of Indian music first
• nothing in this path is about fame, glamour and success
• the importance of developing both the learning and sharing skills

Palash finsihes the interview singing a brief piece in Raag Gunkali, a raag based on Bhairav Thaat.

"GOING DEEP INTO ONESELF ONE CAN EXPLORE THE MUSIC WITH MUCH MORE DEPTH" —Palash Dholakia

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Links:
facebook: Palash Dholakia | Facebook
instagram: @palashdholakia

podcasts Manish Vyas : manishvyas.com/podcast