‘Indian ragas are about getting connected with yourself’

When you grow up in a household where antakshari is played using the names of ragas, you know where your future may lie. For musician brothers Neeraj Dholakia and Palash Dholakia, their childhood conditioning has grown into a passion and career.  

“Our father and grandfather were good listeners and critics of Indian classical music,” recounted Neeraj Dholakia. “When we were young, our grandfather used to play antakshari with us using the names of ragas. Like after Bihag, one would say Gaud Malhar, and then Ramkali,” added Neeraj, who plays the tabla, while Palash, his younger brother, is a vocalist. 

The Dholakia brothers, who are based at Rajkot in Gujarat, credit their family for raising them in an environment seeped in Indian classical music. 

“Our training started in early childhood. We used to start our day with some good piece of music by a stalwart like Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia’s flute rendition, or Pandit Shivkumar Sharma on santoor,” Neeraj told Village Square on the sidelines of Swara Mountain Arts Festival organised annually by Jagori Rural at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. 

Adding to the memories of their childhood, Palash reminisced, “Our grandfather had a close bond with Pt Ravi Shankar, the great sitar maestro. He used to stay at our grandmother’s house in Mumbai. They got to know each other when panditji used to hold concerts for Rs 50, and the connection continued.” 

Neeraj, who started his music lessons with tabla, also plays the pakhawaj, which he calls the “father” instrument of the former. Besides performing with his brother he also plays the instruments with artistes of other genres as well, including ghazal, fusion and light classical music.  

Talking about the debate regarding the rising popularity of fusion music, Neeraj recalled a point made by table virtuoso Ustad Zakir Husian. “He said that our classical music is fusion music in itself, which evolved by imbibing various influences over centuries. Fusion is an endless process.”

The duo is positive about the music culture in Rajkot, which is moving ahead from being focussed only on garba, the folk dance of Gujarat. “Now some organisations and festivals are promoting classical music as well,” said Palash. 

But the brothers dismiss criticism directed at fusion music. 

“What should be criticised  is something that’s out of tune or rhythm, which harms music,” said Palash, emphasising that in order to experiment with something new, it’s important for one to “learn and live the old”, and hence know your heritage and the original roots of your music. 

“One has to understand that classical music is not about seeking popularity but about getting immersed in the ragas,” Palash explained. “It is more about getting connected with yourself than looking for name and fame.”

They are clear that a knowledgeable viewership of 100 people can provide more value than a raucous crowd of thousands. 

“People think that classical music is too complicated to understand,” said Palash, adding that they should be asked how much they understand Western music. “It’s about enjoying the beats and tapping the feet,” he pointed out. “With Indian classical music, however, it’s the soul that vibrates.”

Pallavi Srivastava is Associate Director – Content at Village Square.