The Lighter side of Carnatic Music

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I once attended a Pandit Jasraj concert.

As is usual in such concerts, there is a lot of pomp and occasion, as the audience and singer try to recreate some grand court ambience. Several ladies dressed gaudily and with full war-paint (makeup) make it a point to go to the powder-room and return with a lot of flourish. Jasraj seemed to actually relish this and not mind it even if it happened right in front of him, right during his renditions. The organisers didn't control it either.

As usual, Jasraj was treated like a rock star and there were several, raucous calls from the cheap seats for him to sing his pet piece 'Mataa Kali Ka' in Adaana, ( an upper octave Darbari Kanada of sorts ).

With a mischievous smile at the attention-hungry ladies flitting in front of him, he said

' Ab kya gaaunga Mata Kali Ka ?
Mata Kaliyan sab ja rahe hain ! '

What Mata Kali Ka am I going to sing now ?
All the Mata Kalis are leaving !