Product Life Cycle in Carnatic Music

Today's Hindu reports that Ilayaraja congratulated classical music students and said that their pursuit of music would take them closer to God. This is an oft-repeated idea I can easily resonate with. If you're sensitive to music, you can feel its impact deep inside, something nothing else has been able to match in my case.
While music is therefore an inner journey towards the Anaahata or Om or God, we see that classical musicians also have an outward journey in the market place of audiences, sabhas and concerts. I am yet to come across a musician who is indifferent to audience response. It is therefore a very external world phenomenon, much like any other aspect of our life.
Since musicians perform as professionals, they are also 'selling' their music. This is hard to swallow when you're thinking of a Thyagaraja composition saying money is nothing, or dwelling in Rama confers ultimate bliss. But the real world of musical performances have audiences, tickets, promos. If this is not marketing, what else is it?
When you start thinking of a Carnatic musician's marketing or branding, the idea of a product life cycle seems relevant.

I have come across two interesting studies of celebrity/artiste life cycle here:
Indie_music.pdf
celebrity life cycle

Now, let me add my two pennies. I think the attributes that make CM artistes successful vary in the different product life cycle phases. Novelty, euphony, presence, virtuosity, authenticity (=adherence to tradition, repertoire etc.) all have varying roles in making artistes successful, depending on the phase they are in. This also makes it all the more important that they do not launch prematurely and/or burn out. After all today's audiences are notorious for craving new entertainments and we will never again see 30-40 year celebrity careers.

So here is a spider chart on attributes for Carnatic music success in different product life cycle phases- launch, growth and maturity.
So dear artiste, don't launch early, do benchmark your success attributes, and reinvent yourself!

(click the graphic to view in better resolution)

Comments are more than welcome!
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