The Disciple (2020)

Sumitra Bhave: Maai

Quotes 

• Maai : He who has faith in Saraswati, the Goddess of music, will surely be blessed by her. You don't just practice the music, but also endurance and perseverance. Because this journey is long and arduous. I've seen the best of them give up midway. There will be a thousand occasions to succumb and accept defeat. But you must not. He who has control over his mind... can never be swayed from his path, no matter what the circumstances.

• Maai : A restless mind simple cannot sing Khayal music with depth and authenticity. To worship every note, every microtone, your mind has to be pure and unblemished. What is Khayal? It is the state of mind of the singer at that time, in that particular moment. He presents that state through the medium of a Raag. While singing, you yourself don't know which new aspect of the Raag you will uncover. If you want the Truth of the Raag to spontaneously reveal itself, you will have to rid your mind of falsehood, greed and impure thoughts. Not everyone has the inherent discipline and faith required for this...

• Maai : Through this music, we are shown the path to the Divine. There's a reason why Indian Classical Music is considered an Eternal Quest. And to embark on that quest, you will have to surrender and sacrifice. If you want to earn money, raise a family, then perform love songs or film songs. Don't tread this path. If you want to tread on this path, learn to be lonely and hungry.

• Maai : If you want to learn my music, then forget about the audience and other such notions. I do not sing for the audience or for patrons. I have no interest in showing off how many complex Raags I have mastered or how much training I have. I sing only for my Guru and for God. The other day, someone asked me, "Maai, but shouldn't we choose the Raag depending on the audience present?" I said "there are 200 people in a room. And 200 people have 200 minds. How many people will you try to please? Are you a circus monkey?" We have plenty of performers around, who perform all sorts of vocal acrobatics in the name of classical music. Fortunately, that's not the kind of training I got from my Guruji. He would always say, "Once you close your eyes and utter the first note, nothing other than the Raag must be allowed to enter your mind. Then it does not matter, even if you fail that day... because at least you tried with sincerity."