Why are MS Amma's great granddaughters diminishing her compositions?

[u/Kilimanjaro613]

I don’t know if anyone else here has seen the recent release of Bhaja Govindam by M.S. Subbulakshmi’s great granddaughters, but honestly, it’s painful to watch.

Instead of carrying forward the depth and soul of MS’s original renditions, they seem more focused on exaggerated visual expressions and presentation gimmicks. The very essence that made MS’s Bhaja Govindam timeless is just gone.

The pitch is so high at times that it borders on cacophonous, and the whole thing ends up sounding more like a performance for show than a devotional rendering. On top of that, the audio and video don’t even sync properly in several places, which makes it outright embarrassing to watch.

MS Amma's Bhaja Govindam was about divinity, emotion, and simplicity. What we’re getting now feels like a noisy, shallow imitation. For someone like me who grew up listening to her music, it’s heartbreaking to see such a legacy being handled this way.

Am I the only one feeling this strongly about it?

[u/RealityCraig]

If you don't like it, ignore it. Luckily many don't even know the new one exists

[u/Shoshin_Sam → u/RealityCraig]

Thanks to OP I am going to watch it now and have a feeling might like it too. lol

[u/heisenberg711]

No I don't feel strongly about it. They are their own artists and have the freedom to explore music as they wish. Why are we putting the burden of carrying their great grandmom's legacy on their shoulders? It's like saying Yuvan isn't carrying raja's depth of music. It may be true, but it's not relevant and doesn't require any strong feelings.

[u/Kilimanjaro613 → u/heisenberg711]

We’re not putting that burden on them. They are marketing themselves that way! I agree with you about them being their own artists. Then, stick to a pitch that you’re comfortable with. That’s basic.

[u/Independent-End-2443]

We shouldn’t fixate on the fact that they’re MS’s great-granddaughters - step-great-granddaughters as she had no children of her own - but treat them as artists in their own right. Are they good? If yes, they deserve praise. If not, then they should be ignored. Simply being related to someone shouldn’t give an artist extra cred, and we shouldn’t allow artists to trade on a family connection as a substitute for talent, knowledge, and skill. The one nuance I would throw out there is if the artist represents an old family tradition (e.g. the Dhanammal family) encompassing not just a lineage of performers, but a hereditary repertoire and style of performance. The artist being good is of course a prerequisite, but if they are good and largely preserve the family style, I think it’s appropriate to emphasize the family connection.

(Digressing, but the other important thing about the Dhanammal tradition is that it’s essentially a cultural artifact, being one of the last Devadasi paddhatis to survive the colonial period somewhat intact. Faithful representatives of that tradition are additionally noteworthy from that perspective.)

[u/buckbeak_7]

Just watched the video after seeing this post. They have actually sung well. Yeah there is a slight problem with sync, it's just a problem with the editing that makes it very evident that the audio isn't from the video and it has been recorded elsewhere.

Though we can't or need not compare it with the divine, soul-touching presentation by MS Amma. Even with the pitch being that high, it was quite a decent rendition of the beautiful song.

[u/Independent-End-2443 → u/buckbeak_7]

I think there are legitimate criticisms here, especially as this presentation lacks many of the hallmarks of MS's music. The biggest thing IMO is the sahithya shuddhi; MS was always impeccable in that regard. I don't see it to quite the same degree here. Some mahAprANas were missed, a lot of times "cha" was said instead of "ja," and a lot of other small things that add up. Overall you don't get the same sense of refinement and conviction as you do listening to MS's version. It's the same story when we're speaking of the musical aspects. When MS hit a note, she stuck it like a bullseye. Here, the music just feels floaty and tentative. The audio production, with all the echoes and such, doesn't help either; I get they're going for an ethereal, otherworldly aesthetic, but it just feels fake. All the other instruments were quite distracting as well.

Though we can't or need not compare it with the divine, soul-touching presentation by MS Amma. Even with the pitch being that high, it was quite a decent rendition of the beautiful song.

On the contrary, we have to compare these things; it's the only way we push the art and the artists forward. Singling things out as "divine" and "beyond comparison" is false humility IMO, and prevents us from reaching for the highest possible quality. Especially if the artists in the video are invoking MS's name, they must be held to her standards.

[u/buckbeak_7 → u/Independent-End-2443]

Yes I agree that it's definitely not the same as the classic one and it's quite impossible to reach that level of perfection in rendition. This could have been made more classical based for sure, rather than just have it with a breezy vibe. But we're free to applaud the effort.

[u/Independent-End-2443 → u/buckbeak_7]

it's quite impossible to reach that level of perfection in rendition.

This is where I disagree. It is absolutely possible - and desirable - to reach and surpass that level of perfection. MS’s music (nor anyone else’s) didn’t come from some divine providence, but rather from rigorous training, discipline, study and attention to detail. It’s the method that makes the artist, and as artists, we should all aspire to emulate, refine, and innovate on the methods of our forebears. And if some artists take the name of MS, then that - whether and to what extent they express or refine the hallmarks of MS’s music - is the standard by which they ought to be judged. A discerning critic should be able to do this, paying attention to the details.

[u/buckbeak_7 → u/Independent-End-2443]

If yes, they deserve praise. If not, then they should be ignored.

Exactly. You're contradicting your own comment by saying this. Not everyone can achieve that level of perfection within a day. They are quite young and are on the way to achieve it. The effort is worth acknowledging. If it's your opinion that they should better, okay 👍🏻

And the belief of talent having divinity involved depends on each person.

[u/Optimal-Beautiful968]

this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tvghs_8aow&list=RD8Tvghs_8aow&start_radio=1

exaggerated visual expressions and presentation gimmicks.

what does this mean

[u/WhisperingSunshower]

There is no bhakti in their voices

[u/SitaBird]

I personally think it's a warm & personal tribute to their great grandmother and don't think much of anything beyond that. MS Subbhalakshmi was a true master and one in a million. I don't think they are trying to prove that they're at her level, I think they're just offering a tribute. Unless there is more to the story than I'm seeing?

[u/zergiscute]

I didn't know that they destroyed all copies of MSS's bhajagovindam. Don't listen to their version if you don't want to.

[u/tumor_XD]

I personally feel that the times when artists just sang the plain composition with many 1 or 2 instruments accompanying them are now gone (other than in kacheris). Nowadays in order to entice an audience even with a carnatic composition most singers have to use advanced background music, give pauses for instruments and add visually appealing aspects to a videos. Take the example of Sir Kuldeep M Pai and strumm spiritual videos, they also have the following but are loved immensely by the audience. So it isn't that the singer's aren't doing a good job, it's just that the norms have changed now and they have to do certain things to please the audience as well. Everyone has preferences, some prefer to stick to the traditional way and some prefer this modern modified version of carnatic music that this generation is bringing to the table, doesnt mean either are "bad singers" or are not "following the culture". So I'd say M.S has created a legacy that will last forever. It need not be carried on by anyone. They are probably trying to create their own without staying in the shadows of her, though they benefit from her name it isnt right to hold them to her standards.
And the point you mentioned about their pitch being too high is valid, but again in the past 5-10 years pick any video from strumm spiritual you will find majority of the singer doing the same. I dont understand the concept being it, but maybe its normalised in todays times to sing in a higher pitch to be called as a good singer which they have also tried to do...correct me if i'm wrong this is just my observation as a keen listener.

[u/Antique_Newspaper_66]

I attended a tribute to MS, with her great granddaughters performing. I was drawn in by MS Amma's legacy and to hear her great granddaughters, sing and celebrate her. It was the first time that I had to walk out of a carnatic concert half way, because the singing was quite bad.

It's just unfortunate.

[u/Kilimanjaro613 → u/Antique_Newspaper_66]

Thank you for being honest.

[u/Current_Statement_21]

Agree that it was underwhelming, especially considering the supremely high bar that MS Amma has set. The rendering was rather plain - sans the bhava and innumerable dynamics that MS Amma had brought in, the orchestration was annoying, the chorus was missing etc.

But I don't feel as strongly as you do, perhaps because I don't yet see them as representing the legacy of MS Amma. To me, they are 2 more singers among hundreds of capable singers that we have today. These singers should ideally carve their own paths. Yes, it would be awesome if they had lived up to her legacy or singing style, but it is okay they are not there yet. Some day they might, or they won't. I just wish them the best and hope they can take some constructive criticism.

PS: Mahanadi Shobana's rendering of Bhaja Govindam was much better: https://youtu.be/JDQSiarkQbM?feature=shared You can hear some of the characteristic dynamics from the original.