India’s classical music reflects Hindu-Muslim unity
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Ramachandra Guha observes that India’s classical music historically united people of different faiths, but this tradition faces new challenges.
Twenty years ago, Guha met a Pakistani vocalist who was surprised to learn that Indian classical musicians did not differentiate music by religious origin. Guha recalls finding correspondence in the Gandhi Papers from musicians seeking support for a music faculty at Banaras Hindu University, envisioning a program without racial or religious distinction.
Parur Sundaram Iyer, a violinist, wrote to Gandhi in 1944 advocating for a “Sangeet University” and emphasizing music’s power to foster Hindu-Muslim unity, citing examples of musicians performing songs across faiths. While Gandhi responded to one correspondent with a preference for organic growth over political patronage, the Banaras Hindu University later established the faculty, led by Omkarnath Thakur. Guha notes that the Partition of India harmed this musical syncretism, particularly in Pakistan.
He also expresses concern that contemporary India sees rising majoritarianism impacting the arts, with some musicians aligning with Hindu nationalist ideologies and potential bias in state patronage. He hopes musicians will preserve the inclusive character of Indian classical music, calling it a defining achievement of Indian civilization.
