ECP-FG members had the pleasure of interviewing Nanki Bedi, a Berlin-based Hindustani classical singer from Delhi, India. Nanki was encouraged by her mother to take up this art form and has been singing since the young age of four. She has been invited to perform at a number of events in Europe since. Between 2014-2019, she traveled to Poland, France, London, and Italy for performances at the Krakowia Danza Festival, Compagnie Outre Mesure, Nehru Centre, and OnSTAGE respectively.
The difference in language poses as an obvious barrier while performing for a foreign audience, however, Nanki has a different perspective.
She doesn’t see language as an obstacle and says that the audience is able to understand the language of music, feel and enjoy the songs. In the past, they have described their experience as rather ‘spiritual’. Originating in the ancient temples and the medieval courts of India, Indian classical music reflects the rich cultural tradition and heritage of the country in its diversity and grandeur. Around the 12th century, this art form diverged from what eventually came to be identified as Carnatic classical music. It places emphasis on improvisation and exploring all aspects of a raga, whilst Carnatic music is primarily composition-based.
Featured below is a recent performance of Nanki performing the piece "Raag Bhimpalasi" at the spirit of dance festival in Delhi, 2018.
"Hindustani Classical Music already has a large fan following all across the world. It can be used as a means through which people from all over the world come together to learn, and experience a different culture." -Nanki Bedi
Interview
What is the importance of this art form in your country? ‘The essence of the significance of Indian classical music cannot be contained in mere words. Literally speaking, nearly all genres of Indian music today have either originated from Indian classical music or have been influenced by it in some or the other manner.’ Do you believe that it is an important cultural medium — an art form with an important message? “If in every household, one child would be taught Indian classical music, this country would never have been partitioned” -Ustar Bade Ghulam Ali, legendary Indian classical singer, (on the partition of 1947). ‘Beyond its scope for entertainment and aesthetics, Indian classical music reflects the deep spiritual traditions of India. The classical musical heritage of the Indian subcontinent also serves as a unifying force. It has provided an essence of belongingness to the people of the subcontinent, a platform for bridging the communal divide. For instance, traditional classical compositions (bandishes) are often written in glory of both deities of the Hindu pantheon and the Sufi Islamic saints, promoting harmony and fraternity of the two conflicting communities since time immemorial.’ Is there something you wish to achieve through your music? ‘I would really like for more people all over the world (even in India) to be aware of, and learn this historic art form. This is a beautiful part of Indian culture and heritage which has not reached many parts of the world, and "Indian music" has come to be defined by the standards Bollywood (Indian film industry) portrays; which more often than not, especially in recent years, does not forward a very good example. I would really like to change this perception that people have of Indian (Bollywood) music, and be able to make my contribution to this beautiful culture of Hindustani Classical Music.’
Do you think it can be used in the field of diplomacy?
‘Absolutely. It is an excellent way to practice cultural diplomacy. Music diplomacy has been around for some time now, and Hindustani Classical Music already has a large fan following all across the world. It can be used as a means through which people from all over the world come together to learn and experience a different culture. A lot of initiatives have been taken up by governments wherein people from different countries, despite their political differences, come together to create something powerful out of the language of music. Even musicians and artists from tense neighboring countries like India and Pakistan collaborate on numerous music initiatives. I believe music can be a very strong tool through which diplomatic relationships can be formed.’
In the second video, Nanki performs with On Stage in Florence.
These days, you can find Nanki at the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, where she is pursuing her masters in International Relations. In the future, she wishes to focus her research on using the cultural medium of music to build geopolitical relations between nations.