The Hindu : dated November 11, 1952: Role of music in national life

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Monday, Nov 11, 2002

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dated November 11, 1952: Role of music in national life

President Rajendra Prasad in a written address to the Marris College of Hindustani Music on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee celebrations pleaded for Indian music to be elevated to its proper pedestal. The address was read out by Mr. K. M. Munshi, Governor of U.P. Dr. Prasad also wanted the best Indian classical music, which had lost touch with the people and had become a close preserve of a few, should again be brought into the flow of the national life of the Indian people. In ancient times musicians were given such a high place in society that they were often given the titles of `Rishis' and `Munis'. During the period of Muslim rule too, classical Hindustani music had played a great part in uniting Hindus and Muslims and in softening the edges of hostility. Unfortunately certain vices had also crept into the field, causing music and musicians to be relegated to a lower place than what it had occupied earlier. Musicians enjoyed the patronage of the rulers, but among the people as a whole, they no longer commanded the respect and regard which they had got in ancient India.

The President observed: "Our traditional criterion of good music is its potentiality even to kindle lamps. Tulsidas and Kabir through their poetry pervaded the rural life of North India with spirituality and wisdom. Similarly, it is essential that our musicians of today put together again the snapped bonds between themselves and the people. "

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