My Thoughts on Listening

I often feel that many practitioners of classical music - or any genre, spend countless hours practicing their instrument and working on their technical skills, but don’t dedicate enough time to simply listening to music and exploring different artists. This, I believe, is one of the reasons why we often come across “copycat” musicians who sound exactly like their gurus or idols. While such musicians may excel in preserving tradition and carrying it forward, they sometimes lack depth, individuality, and spontaneity.

For an artist, listening is as important as practicing. Exposing yourself to new music, especially from diverse styles and genres, helps broaden your perspective. If we limit ourselves to listening to only one artist or one tradition, we risk becoming a mirror of that influence, rather than an amalgamation of many. True individuality is often born out of varied influences that interact, overlap, and evolve within us!

I believe that the thoughts and ideas we express musically are rarely “original” in the pure sense. Instead, they are the result of countless influences being churned, reassembled, and refined by our mind. The brain does not replicate perfectly - it reconfigures. And it is in this imperfect rearrangement that something seemingly fresh and new emerges!

This is why I make it a point to listen widely, not only to classical musicians, but also to artists across genres and traditions. We are incredibly fortunate to live in what I call a Golden Age of content. With platforms like YouTube, Apple Music, and access to rare archival concert recordings, we can listen to any artist from anywhere in the world, from master musicians of Morocco to folk singers of Maharashtra. Technology has made it possible for us to connect with and learn from a global pool of artists like never before.

To contribute to this culture of listening, I started my broadcast channel on Instagram. My intention is simple: to share one track a day with fellow musicians and friends, encouraging everyone to listen with openness and curiosity. I hope that through this practice, I can help others discover new musicians and, in the process, inch closer to finding their own unique voice!

Happy listening, happy learning!