“In school days, while going for a movie, fellow students used to throw some challenges to each other; one of such was, ‘to remember all songs of the movie to get a free movie-ticket,’ and having a fairly-strong memory, I used to do it. But, the age is taking ‘it’ away from me, I guess,” reminisced Shubha Mudgal during a lively discussion with music lovers at the All India Radio. In conversation with theatre personality Sunit Tandon, Mudgal reflected on her eventful career where she has traversed from classical to indi-pop with equal felicity.
“When I started learning, there was really no expectation. I always thank my parents, the two wonderful people, who really made me believe not just in opportunity and exposure but the rigour of training. They said for an artist it is necessary to be convinced of what he or she is doing. You will always see people who will have bigger, better, and more cars than you, or he might have a mansion which you are never going to have. But, you need to ask yourself again and again, is this I want to do, or, am I happy doing this?”
Born in an academic family, Mudgal trained in Kathak as a young girl in Allahabad and later on switched to Hindustani classical music as her vocation of choice. “My introduction to vocal music came via Kathak, which has different important aspects of abhinay, where dancers present thumri.”
Soon music became her passion but she was clear that music wouldn’t be merely a means of livelihood for her. “Every aspiring artiste must ask this to oneself before starting. Otherwise, you are going to think constantly; why don’t I have this opportunity, award, invitation and the like? It’s a choice you must make, and you must decide how to be happy with it. Don’t blame the art if you aren’t called for every single festival or you don’t get the award,” underlined Mudgal before adding, “You have to ask yourself, whether I am able to pay my rent or not, whether I am able to have the best car and change them every year, or I am still happy doing what I am? And, I think; it is really an important lesson taught by my parents and reiterated by my wonderful gurus. All of them were respected, but not wealthy people.”
There were many and came from diverse background and styles like Pandit Ramashreya Jha, Professor Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, Pandit Vasant Thakar and stalwarts like Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki and Vidushi Naina Devi. “Initially, I was also very impatient like other youngsters,” gushes Mudgal. “There were occasions when learning lasted for three to four hours, and on a few days it got wrapped merely within 15 minutes. But, at the same time, I got opportunity to listen these maestros that helped me a lot in being what I am. While daily riyaz is important, one needs to dwell on music. It is not just pahalwani (repeated and non-melodious singing),” Mudgal signed off to a thunderous applause.
