Why Quarantunes?
April 2020
In this unprecedented time, quarantined as we all are due to the COVID-19 pandemic, music has been a particularly big source of happiness, comfort and solace to many of us. However, the musicians’ own lives have been upended with all concert engagements and international tours cancelled in this worldwide shutdown.
How are artistes coping, I wondered? What are they thinking about?
I approached several musicians – Carnatic and Hindustani, vocal and instrumental, across genders – and requested them to share their thoughts. Corona was merely the igniter – artistes have shared many aspects of their lives, thought processes and interests, notwithstanding the present situation.
I feel the term ‘social distancing’ is a misnomer – one should never be socially distanced. Since we are all physically distanced, an audio podcast seemed the best way to go. This was something ALL the artistes could do, with minimal intrusion to their loved ones, in this period of confinement, often in small spaces.
Each musician has recorded his/her talk wherever they are quarantined in, with whatever equipment they have on hand. Their chats are completely unedited – intentionally. They are, often, therefore, not oiled or smooth. However, they are authentic, something I attach a lot of value to, and the best they, and I, could do in the circumstances.
I gave some questions as food for thought – some general and some specifically tailored. Aside from a request to record in a quiet place and share some music, no restrictions of any kind were imposed. They could talk about whatever issues were most pertinent to them, answer some or all of the suggested questions or be completely free to branch out orthogonally as well.
I have been extremely touched by the response. The effort taken by the artistes to make meaningful and quality recordings, frequently in challenging environments, has been genuinely heartening. Please listen and convey your appreciation for their efforts with your genuine comments and questions.
Yours sincerely,
Lakshmi Anand
