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Hello Everyone!

This forum has been created to that all of us in the Indian Classical Music and Dance community can share ideas, talk about our experiences within the field or community, positive or negative and also discuss issues and come up with ideas on how to improve the infrastructure of this field.

Please feel free to write anything you wish to, as long as you are respectful to others' views and opinions. I hope that this can become a safe space to discuss whatever issues, experiences or topics we wish to about the Indian Classical Music and Dance community.

2 answers2 replies

4 Comments

HCMStudent

Jun 20, 2022

Thanks for the prompt response!

No haven't yet voiced this concern to my Guru but I think I'll try doing this at my next class. I'll make sure to do this veryyyy gently haha. I'm just worried about upsetting her and her saying that she will stop teaching me.

In any case, I guess finding a Guru for life can take a bit of trial and error. If she can't handle a gently nudge then perhaps she just isn't the Guru for me.

HCMStudent

Jun 20, 2022

Replying to

For anyone else reading, I'd love to know what your dynamic with your Guru is, and what sort of strategies you use to facilitate a healthy power balance and open communication?

HCMStudent

Jun 20, 2022

Hi Saberi, Really appreciate you facilitating open discussion around this topic. I thought I'd share something I'm finding challenging at the moment. I learn from a well-reputed Hindustani Classical Music teacher (instrumental) and I have found that the typical guru-shishya relationship can be quite toxic at times. Being forced to be submissive, paying high fees for classes that can sometimes last only 20 minutes (over Zoom) all while the teacher is watching tv in the background and the inability to ask genuine questions to the Guru. Of course there are many positive aspects to the guru-shishya parampara. However in the current times of the world, where teachers and students share mutual respect, where teachers teach students with dignity, I find this challenging. It can really shatter my self esteem after a class and leaves me feeling not only unmotivated, but also unworthy. Note: I've grown up and live in a western country so I am used to having school teachers who spend time ACTIVELY teaching you with respect and kindness. Any other classical music students reading this who can relate? Saberi- would love to hear your perspective.

Saberi Misra

Jun 20, 2022

Replying to

Hi, First of all, thank you for sharing your thoughts! Secondly, have you tried to voice your concern to your guru? I’m asking because, sometimes, all one needs is a nudge, a reality check. I understand that the power dynamic is such that questioning one’s guru is a very daunting prospect, but not paying attention while teaching is something that will directly affect your learning and I think maybe just trying to talk to them about it might help? I completely understand what you’re saying about growing up and living in a western country, because I’m the same. In western countries, there is mutual respect, like you said, and a infrastructure that generally makes sure that the level of teaching and learning is of a certain standard. All I would say, is that, living and growing up in a western country, your strength is that you have been taught to question and put your point forward. So, maybe try and put your point forward gently ☺️