www.drummingworld.com
UDAY DESHPANDE , TABLA PLAYER, DIRECTOR, COMPOSER .
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Traditional music is going at a slower pace than earlier , there has been a decrease in its popularity . What is the reason behind this?
UD : I don't agree to this . Its popularity is not going down. If you go to the Sawai Gandharva festival every year which is held in Pune , you will see that about 10-15 thousand people come to see that festival. It is a complete classical festival , people come in very huge proportions to see that festival. The popularity has not gone down. It is just that because of the western influence , the young generation is not exposed to classical music . There has been a difference . Classical music is stable.
 
 
" The popularity has not gone down. It is just that because of the western influence , the young generation is not exposed to classical music . There has been a difference . Classical music is stable."
 
• Do you feel that this new culture and the generation which believes in remixes and DJ music will adversely effect the classical music?
UD : No . See classical music has a tradition of over 2000 years. It cannot be affected by the new generation music. The new generation is doing good in music . A new genre of music has evolved . In new age films , musical groups having Indian classical touch are coming up. I think it will help in evolving a new genre of music . Classical music is also helping international artists , they are having Indian classical in their songs and albums. STING has come up with Indian classical in his album , JOHN ANDY , JOHN Mc LOFIN , Indian classical music is expanding now . It is going global , it is becoming more popular globally .

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 From the time you started off in music and the music prevailing today , has there been any big time changes in the music ?





























UD : The rule of the world is to change . When I was young , we had music concerts for about 6 hours continuous and now the concerts are of 1.5 hours or 2 hours . People don't have time , time effects music .
 
•
 You have traveled a lot in Music , how did you start off ? A brief career history of yours in music.
UD : I started when I was 12 years old . I used to learn classical music from PT. VAMANRAO BHAVE and VIBHORE NAGESHKAR . I had a dream to learn from Ustad ALLAHRAKHA . At the age of 18 years , I was introduced to Ustad ALLAHRAKHA . His son was my friend and so he introduced me to him . From 1990 to 2000, I was learning from him . We call it a 'TAALIM' (training), the training went on from 1990-2000 , I had my basic and advanced education in Tabla and classical , I did a M.A in Music . In the year 2000, Ustad ALLAHRAKHA passed away . Then in the year 2003 I learnt from YOGESH SAMSI , he was a main disciple of Ustad ALLAHRAKHA . Then I went to Canada, I also met Ustad ZAKHIR HUSAIN .
 
•
 How did you get a chance to go to Canada?
UD : The University of Alberta , Calgary and Columbia were having a programme of Indian classical music and they were searching for a Tabla player . A friend of mine wrote to me about that and then in about 15 days I went to Canada . I was in Canada for 2 years.
 
•
 Do you belong to a family with a background into music?
UD : Yes, my father was a musician .
 
•
 How many years have passed into music since you started ?
UD : It has been about 25 years into music .
 
•
 You were a Director in ZEE TV. From music to TV , how did this change take place?
UD : I was working in a Production house as an Assistant Director and in 1993 there was an advertisement and I went for an interview and got selected in ZEE TV . I joined ZEE TV as a joint Assistant Director in a serial called ' Lux Kya Scene Hai ' . Then the Director of that serial left the job and I was made the Director.
 
•
 Then, from being a Director in ZEE TV , now you are the Director of Suryadatta School of Communication Studies , how did that happen?
UD: (Laughs) It just happened.
 
•
 You are also a composer of music. What music do you compose ?
UD : Indian classical , Fusion music, Hindi film music, Pop compositions and Sufi compositions .
 
•
 Every career has its bad sides , have you gone though any bad experiences in your career into music?
UD : There are lots of bad experiences. I remember when it was my first performance in Pune , that time I was in an attitude that I am a very good tabla player and a sort of ego was there in me so while I was playing, during my performance one person was teasing from behind the audience and after that performance I went to that person and he told me that after your performance school kids are going to perform and you better watch them play the tabla and really those kids played fabulous and I felt very bad that day. I realized that I have a lot to learn still. Rejection makes you learn more .
 
•
 What is your favorite music?
UD : I like Indian classical music. In western, I like all rock bands, Eagles, Pink Floyd, Beatles, I like Jazz, and I also like Spanish music .
 
•
 Can you list some of your major achievements ?
UD : I got an award at All India level in 1991 at the All India Youth Music Festival, I got the 1st prize for Tabla. I stood first in a function of IIT in Bombay called 'MOOD INDIGO'. I did my Masters in Music. Received an Award in Spain recently. I was nominated for the EMMY Awards in New York for best Director for my serial ' Its my Show '.
 
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 Tell us about the award you received in Spain .
UD: I was awarded in Spain for best background score and the film for which I was an assistant Director got an award for Best film , I was also a music director for that film . The name of the film was ' SITA SHAKTI ' .
 
•
 What are your future plans and programs ?
UD: On 20th August we have a show in Satara. We are going to Bombay on 26th August. There is a sufi festival happening in Bombay at Saint Andrews on 26th August and at the NCPL on 31st August. I am doing a Sufi Poet Project/Show with many big stars. The project is a drama poetry recital. I am giving the theme music and the background music for i . The Cast is comprising of many big stars like Rajat Kapoor, Prahlad Kakkar, and Farooq Sheikh. It will start on 30th September. I am doing one serial which will be shown on 'My Marathi' channel or 'Zee Alpha' channel .
 
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 Why did you shift from a Tabla player to a Director and now as a head of an institute?
UD: Tabla was my Passion. It is still my passion. Music did not earn me my daily bread, though it earns me now but this was the reason I became a director .
 
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 Do you think that Indian classical Music should be taught to the new generation from their schooling days and also in college to keep them aware of traditional music?
UD: Absolutely, Music is a basic thing. The basic thing in music is Rhythm and Melod. So is that needed in life. There has to be a rhythm in everything you do , there should be a rhythm in writing, editing, acting, everything you do has to have a rhythm. So, Music is needed . Eventually , everything boils into music.
 
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 Since the new generation is so much interested in remixes and hip hops, pop and Dj music, do you think the old classical culture that existed before will ever revert back to the new generation?
UD: I don't think so. The life span and the life styles of people has changed. Music is the reflection of life. It may come back practically but emotionally it won't nourish. Today's music is tune based music and the old music was melody based music. People still remember the old songs and music because they are melodies. Melodies cannot be forgotten, tunes may get forgotten. This is the reason why we still hear and like old songs, only because of its melodies. Today's songs you like them because of their tunes and then you will forget them. I don't think that the old music culture will revert back .