The essay looks at the future of Rabindra Sangeet from a very traditional cultural locational which expresses significant venom against the current trend of licensing every type of singing by all types of singers [pop, band etc. – those without any conventional training] in the culture of Rabindra Sangeet in the name of freedom of expression. The essay argues that Rabindranath himself wanted some kind of restriction regarding the style of singing, the act of performance and other rules/systems of tradition. The task of licensing thus should rest on a body of established artists, literati and other intellectuals so that the mass is educated to enjoy the nuances of Rabindra Sangeet. This is a time-consuming process where the artiste/performer also needs to play significant part in order to engage as well as immerse the mass in the Rabindra culture. Hence the need for licensing – to safeguard the future of Rabindrasangeet and Rabindra culture and preserving the purity of Rabindrasangit by preventing the current trend of cultural hybridism.
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