Shubha Mudgal: Kolkata's Artistic Soul & Music's Future

Shubha Mudgal reflects on her association with filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh, recalling the creative freedom she experienced while singing for his film 'Raincoat.' She credits Debojyoti Mishra for initiating the collaboration, which allowed her to express herself authentically. Mudgal views Kolkata as a vital hub for Hindustani classical music, a place of learning and pilgrimage for artists due to its historical significance and diverse artistic expressions.

She expresses concern over what she perceives as hypocrisy in India's support for traditional arts, highlighting the public's willingness to pay high prices for international performers while showing less inclination to support young Indian classical musicians. Mudgal emphasizes that the challenge isn't generational but societal, questioning why arts education, focusing on sensitization rather than production, is not more robustly integrated into mainstream schooling.

Discussing technology, Mudgal finds social media and AI empowering when used in moderation, offering artists independent platforms for sharing their work. However, she notes the increasing commercialization and the significant challenges artists face in protecting their voice rights against AI due to the slow and costly legal system in India.