On Friday 4th Nov morning (IST) at 8.30am or Thursday evening (PST), Livdemy (global musical platform) is hosting a virtual launch of Naada Instruments, reports Rahul Laud from Asian Lite.
Ace musician Mahesh Raghavan will host Jordan Rudess, keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire for platinum-selling Grammy-nominated prog rock band, Dream Theatre, to talk about journey of his creation – GeoShred.
Mahesh will be accompanied by Madan Pisharody, rising GeoShred players from India, Siddhiie Kapshikar student from London and other players who will be on the session of Jordan Rudess.
While GeoShred previously has worked with sounds from SWAMEngine, that are sampled, with this release, they’re releasing 14 new sounds that are prepared through rigorous Physical modelling of the instruments. This is the brainchild of Suthambar, a PH D in Computer Science from IISc Bangalore. These new sounds, termed Naada Instruments, include traditional acoustic instruments like Carnatic Violin, Shehnai, Sarangi, Veena, Banbury (Flute) and more.
Initially created as an iPad based effects processor unit, GeoShred is an app on iOS devices. GeoShred brought the touch gestures to slide between notes. Mahesh Raghavan applied his own learnings of Carnatic classical vocals and Western Classical piano was able to use the app to express the Indian melodies, that typically uses bends and slides also known as gamaks and meends. Over the years, Mahesh has pioneered playing both Hindustani and Carnatic classical music on iPad while keeping the Indian intonations and expressions intact, and has gathered a worldwide following.
Mahesh’s concerts with Shravan Sridhar on violin have attrcated the youth in India and their gigs held at unassuming places have triggered huge interest towards Indian classical music among the youth.
It goes without saying that GeoShred sees a huge potential audience in India with Mahesh who is perceievd as one of the brand ambassadors of this app. There are very few professional players today in India . But the sound it creates is soulful and thats probably what has touched millions of hearts.
This session will be live simultaneously broadcast on YouTube and Facebook. However, to interact with all the artists and pioneers above, you can only do it on LivDemy.
The fifth edition of 'India's Greenest Music Festival'.(photo:IANSLIFE)
Festival director and a pioneer in sustainable lifestyle events, Roshan Netalkar shares, “Circle of Life is a concept that has been under works for years now…reports Asian Lite News
The greenest music festival in India returns to its hometown of Bangalore. Echoes of Earth returns for its fifth edition on the 3rd and 4th of December this year, bringing back stories, revelry, and a festive fervour unlike any other.
The festival will be held at (Embassy Riding School, Bangalore), which is set among 180 acres of lush greenery. The festival is set to bring back the essence of conscious lifestyle events that promote mindfulness, sustainability, and an alternate, circular lifestyle, with inventive stages created from upcycled material and curating eclectic music genres that are known to bring together a new-age listening audience.
Sustainability has been an important tool in developing the festival’s vision. The festival has significantly reduced its carbon footprint over the last six years through initiatives such as solar-powered stages, no plastic zones, sapling drives, and responsible waste disposal and reduction systems. This year, the emphasis shifts to regeneration, conservation, and the circular economy, and how they can be used to create future lifestyle events.
Every year, the festival introduces a new theme centred on celebrating the Earth through newer, unexplored narratives. Echoes of Earth, now in its fifth edition, is bringing together stories of wildlife and nature conservation from the unexplored crevices of India’s diverse ecosystems under the theme ‘Circle of life.’ This one-of-a-kind circle features a variety of positive human impact stories that are empowering and uplifting the world’s endangered species and landscapes. The circle is best described as “a space that has room for everyone and where celebration never stops.”
Circle of Life brings together over 40 local and international artists who are shaping the future of one-of-a-kind global sounds. Rising international acts like The Yussef Dayes Experience, Kerala Dust, Dauwd, and Henry Saiz & Band presents Moonshine Wolves will be joining riveting local acts like Anyasa, Hanumankind, Till Apes, and more on these stages.
Festival director and a pioneer in sustainable lifestyle events, Roshan Netalkar shares, “Circle of Life is a concept that has been under works for years now. It mainly focuses on living life in moderation. We aim to rethink the use of our natural resources and to be mindful of the life that exists around us. This year’s festival hopes to elevate the experience we have created in the past through conversations, education, circular design that also encourages the recycling of our past year assets and finally to move towards becoming a carbon negative festival.”
Live events are making a comeback in unprecedented ways, and Echoes of Earth in 2022 is set to make waves in multiple communities united by a desire for a cleaner, greener future, diverse music, and distinct art. Relaxing and revelling in the lap of nature now has a name, and it is no longer a distant echo.
The new musical is a tribute to the grandeur, costumes, choreography, and scandalous secrets of Hindi movies…reports Asian Lite News
Bombay Superstar, a dazzling new Bollywood musical, is coming to The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry later this month.
The glamorous and scandalous story is set in the heart of Bollywood, the biggest film industry in the world. Blurring the lines between reel and real-life events, this catchy retro musical is a passionate tale of a star-crossed romance between a fiery rising star and her married co-star, which thrills and scandalises their star-struck fans.
Set in the disco era of the 1970s, Bombay Superstar is presented by the Belgrade Theatre in co-production with Phizzical Productions, marking their 50th production, and The New Wolseley Theatre. The production is written and directed by Samir Bhamra, Artistic Director of Phizzical.
Sâmir Bhamra said: “As a child from the VHS and Walkman generation living in Kenya, Bollywood films were more than a source of entertainment. The stories instilled a belief system, and the actors were our role models. Growing up as a migrant in a working-class family in the UK, these films continued to be a compass, giving people hope to build their aspirations during unjust times. It has taken over 15 years to realise this dream production about the larger-than-life stories from the flamboyant Indian film industry and to have the courage and the belief that it can be presented on stage in a cinematic style.”
Bombay Superstar will feature iconic Bollywood hits from the 70s and 80s, including melodious pop and disco music like Dekha Ek Khwab and Disco Deewane, played by live musicians. The new musical is a tribute to the grandeur, costumes, choreography, and scandalous secrets of Hindi movies.
Following its premiere in Coventry, Bombay Superstar will embark upon a UK tour. It is delivered in English and sung in Hindi with subtitles throughout the show to allow accessibility for audiences throughout the country.
Bombay Superstar opens at Belgrade Theatre this Saturday (15 October) and will run until 22 October. Tickets can be booked by phoning the Box Office on 024 7655 3055 (phone lines open 10:30am – 2pm, Mon – Sat), or by visiting www.belgrade.co.uk.
Susngi, who performed at the ongoing Jodhpur RIFF feels that such festivals play an important role in promoting independent musicians…writes Sukant Deepak
She talks about exploring the layers of her roots, about how different elements of Khasi music offer an inexhaustible insight into diverse socio-cultural aspects of her people’s lives. In almost the same breath, singer and music teacher Amabel Susngi from Meghalaya swears by the magic of Jazz and Blues, and how fusion is much beyond coming together of different musical traditions.
Recipient of the prestigious Samvaad Fellowship by the Tata Steel Foundation, this 28-year-old vocalist remembers being inspired by her grandmother, who would sing folk songs often — something she feels has been instrumental in her career choice. ” She passed on before I could document all the songs. My parents were also involved in church choirs.”
From an early age, Susngi knew she also wanted to get involved in the academic side of music. “So my mother sent me to an institute to learn Western music. I went to Martin Luther Christian University in Shillong. It was here that my first exposure to traditional instruments happened. I did not really join the university for the purpose of documentation. I always knew that performing was my true calling. But back in my time, there was not much clarity and support. However, youngsters today know the kind of openings after graduating from music school.”
Talking about Shillong, dubbed the rock capital of India, the singer says that living there has a lot to do with encouraging young singers. “There is a thriving cafe culture there that promotes home-grown bands. There is a certain openness where different genres can think of thriving. The audience’s ears are open to new sounds and the coming together of different cultures. Precisely why you see so many musicians from that place who have done exceptionally well across the country.”
Susngi, who performed at the ongoing Jodhpur RIFF feels that such festivals play an important role in promoting independent musicians.
“We need more such platforms to develop an ecosystem. With more such festivals, the audience base is bound to expand,” says the artist who has performed at different festivals across the world including the prestigious Belize International Jazz Festival in Central America.
The musician, who is part of a band ‘4th element’ which plays Jazz, Blues and R&B, adds: “While my roots are firms entrenched in Khasi music, I have always been open to other genres. Exposure to different genres adds multiple dimensions to one’s style. It opens one to different techniques and styles.”
The musician feels that the different initiatives by the state government for young musicians have had a positive impact on music back home.
“I feel government support for the arts is crucial. The Grassroots Music Project facilitates musicians’ performances at different venues and links them with tourism. It has been a successful model which can and should be replicated by other governments too,” concludes this doctorate student.
For someone trained in classical music, that base has been instrumental in shaping him. Adding that he cannot claim to have a deep study as he wanted to create his own music, Harpreet says Dhrupad always leaves him mesmerised…writes Sukant Deepak
From Pash to Bulleh Shah… from redefining the extraordinary in ordinary lives… Of constantly searching for lost simplicity to an ode to people’s power. He ensured that a peculiar calm enveloped everything while he performed. And that was perhaps something that overrode the excellent music he produced.
Singer and musician Harpreet, who performed at the ongoing Jodhpur RIFF (on Saturday), much active on the independent music scene in the country has been a busy man lately — from making an album on Nanak Singh’s immortal ‘Khooni Vaisakhi’ on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to doing the background score and songs for the movie ‘Sehar’, his first outing in cinema.
“The work on the book is very close to my heart. I recently performed a part of it at the India International Centre in New Delhi and it was such a spiritual experience for me. I have never felt that emotion before and I did not feel like ‘me’ during the entire length of the performance. The voice was coming from someplace else, someplace deep.”
While he feels that there are a decent number of music festivals in the country, but points to the lack of platforms for young independent artists. “We must understand that it is the young independent artists who have just started out who need all the support in the world. We need festivals that are not looking for big names to splash on their line-ups.”
For someone trained in classical music, that base has been instrumental in shaping him. Adding that he cannot claim to have a deep study as he wanted to create his own music, Harpreet says Dhrupad always leaves him mesmerised.
During the pandemic-induced lockdowns, the singer started learning the piano. “You know I started out with a keyboard, but never practised it enough. Lockdowns gave me the chance and space for studying it deeply.”
While the lockdowns proved to be an opportunity for him to work on himself, he says that after a time, the absence of live gigs was quite depressing. “The magic that an audience facilitates is unparalleled. No digital performance can come even close to that. Every live performance is unique and the artist takes away something from it.”
Even as some major corporates have started supporting music as part of their CSR, Harpreet points out the work done by Mahindra in the field of music. “They have really supported me. But more companies need to realise their social responsibilities towards the arts, just like abroad. Young artists need people to invest in them so that they can focus on their work.”
Looking back at his journey that started in 2007, the singer says that his biggest success has been the moment he decided he would do only music. “And my journey, well it has just begun,” he concludes.
Sleep experts list two things that matter a lot when it comes to understanding what kind of music helps a person in falling asleep – individual preference and tempo…writes Prakriti Poddar
Listening to music at bedtime can help in slowing down our heart rate and breathing, and in bringing down levels of stress hormones, easing us into the sleep mode
A good night’s sleep is a vital component of holistic wellbeing, providing a strong foundation for our physical, mental, and emotional health. And yet, roughly 62 percent of adults globally feel that they don’t sleep well at night. This epidemic of sleep deprivation is fueling a growing global industry of sleep technology and aids. A recent report pegged the global sleep tech devices market at USD 15 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to USD 67 billion in 2030. But don’t lose sleep over this, help is hidden in your playlist.
Science says, to tune in to tune out
A growing body of research is demonstrating how listening to calming music improves sleep by inducing favourable responses such as reduced anxiety, lowered blood pressure, slower breathing, and lower heart rate. In fact, research shows that music stimulates the entire brain including the parasympathetic nervous system which signals the body to rest, relax and sleep.
A meta-analysis of ten different research studies involving a total of 557 participants came to the same conclusion, stating that music is effective at helping sufferers of both acute and chronic sleep disorders get better sleep.
But what kind of music helps us sleep? Slow tempo, fast asleep
Sleep experts list two things that matter a lot when it comes to understanding what kind of music helps a person in falling asleep – individual preference and tempo.
A person’s individual choice in music is a vital factor in determining how the music will affect him/her. So, create a customized playlist that includes songs that have helped you fall asleep in the past or have helped you relax.
Tempo refers to the speed at which the music is played and is often measured in beats per minute (BPM). Some scientists hypothesize that since the human heart normally beats between 60 to 100 BPM, listening to music with a tempo in the range of 60-80 BPM may help in sync with the body’s own rhythms, thus, helping us unwind, relax and fall asleep. But of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone.
Sleep is highly personal and so are music preferences. Some people may experience relaxation – slower breathing and heartbeats – by listening to heavy metal or hard rock. “So, whether it’s hard rock or heavy metal or Bach, find what makes you feel relaxed in your body and what helps you get out of your head,” says Vago. Tapping into the brain’s rhythm for sound sleep
As it happens, there’s plenty of music in the human body. Just like the heart, the brain too has its own rhythms and certain rhythms are best suited for sleep. Cognitive neuroscientist and RoundGlass Research Lead, David Vago, PhD, says that alpha waves, which are around eight to 12 hertz, are what you would see in the brain of someone quietly relaxed, perhaps lying in the bed with their eyes closed. (Also, coincidentally, during meditation.) If you’re searching for music to help you fall asleep, Vago suggests looking for songs that can activate that alpha frequency. How do you find such a piece of music without actually measuring brain waves? The answer lies in listening to your body. Be mindful of what your body is telling you by drawing your attention to your heartbeat, breath and emotional response and how they change on listening to music.
Using technology to sleep better
When it comes to sleep, technology is a double-edged sword. It can inhibit rest as well as enable it. If you have to use your hand-held device at bedtime, use it to sleep more soundly. There are plenty of well-being apps that offer curated sleep playlists and bedtime stories that will help you drift into a restful slumber. Make them a part of your sleep hygiene to sleep better, optimize your well-being and lead a healthier and happier life.
(Prakriti Poddar is Global Head, Mental Health and Wellbeing, RoundGlass, a global Wholistic Wellbeing organization where she is actively involved in creating an integrated platform for Wholistic Wellbeing.)
The music industry is a very fast-changing sector being a mom of two kids, how you manage the business…writes N. LOTHUNGBENI HUMTSOE
Deepti Gupta, a woman who has worked in corporate for ten years and is a mother of two, founded the new age music label company “Treasure Records” in her spare time. Having a woman in the band helps narrow the gender gap in India’s extremely fast-growing and crucial music industry.
Founded in 2021 by Deepti Gupta, CEO, along with her husband, Deepak Gupta, Managing Director, Treasure Records released its first music video, “Mean”, featuring Sameeksha Sud and Avinash Mishra, in March 2022, and its Second Music Video “JAANIYA” featuring Ankit Tiwari as a singer in August 2022 on their official YouTube Channel. The video received an overwhelming response with close to 2 million views. The power duo also owns a production house, “Treasure Tales Media Pvt. Ltd.” for the production of films, web series, and music videos.
Deepti walks us through her career in the music business with the goal of ushering in a new era of concepts, viewpoints, performers, and content for their audience.
Coming from a corporate background and starting a music label company, what are the challenges you faced as a women entrepreneur in this segment?
Deepti: Coming from a corporate background and launching a music label is not that simple for me, as being a mother of two made starting a business difficult. I lost my communication skills and confidence over a 5-year period because I was totally cut off from the corporate industry where I used to meet people. During Covid, I was so involved with my family that I completely lost my confidence and communication skills, which was the main challenge that I faced as a female entrepreneur in this industry. Because, as we all know, this industry requires a person to be very outspoken.
No one in my family or relatives has any prior entertainment industry experience that can assist me in this business. However, I am extremely grateful to some of my friends who have connections in the entertainment industry and helped me find the best music composer, singer, and director. Siddhant Sachdeva is a famous director who helped me out with the best singer and team for Treasure Records. I must say that having 10 years of corporate experience aided me in planning, plotting, and executing the plan. In this journey, I owe everything to my husband, who encouraged me to face the challenge and return to the business.
There are very few women entrepreneurs in the music industry in India. what made you start a music label company- Treasure records?
Deepti: Not just a few, but I believe men and women have equal opportunities in this field. I believe that this industry is equal in that women receive equal recognition and there are many women who have broken this taboo in the Entertainment industry, including female producers, to name a few Ekta Kapoor, Gauri Khan, Twinkle Khanna, and director Deepa Mehta. If there is an actor, there is also an actress, and if there is a male dancer, there is also a female choreographer. Women work in a variety of fields, not just the entertainment industry. When we look at scientists, the army, the navy, and the air force, as well as businesses with remote workers, we see that women work everywhere. Because of the social media capability, they had also established their business there too.
The music industry is a very fast-changing sector being a mom of two kids, how you manage the business.
Deepti: Yes, the music industry is a rapidly changing industry. People enjoy music, and they change their playlists on a daily basis based on their preferences. Music/entertainment is not a 9 to 5 job where you work on the same process every day. Every day there is a release of a new song or campaign based on occasion, and celebration because India is a country of festivals where we celebrate everything. There is so much creativity. It is not difficult, but it is an interesting and creative process, and if I talk about myself as a mom of two kids and managing the business, it is quite challenging, and my kids will always be my first priority, so I need to follow a routine to manage both equally as I believe if there is no discipline and routine in one’s life you can’t achieve anything.
How YouTube is helping new-age production houses like treasure records to reach the target audience?
Deepti: Yes, YouTube is assisting new-age production houses, but it is not limited to the music or entertainment sectors, but in every sector/segment. We live in a digital world and YouTube has become a source of livelihood for many families. If we can see who is cooking, dancing, and educating, it helps them to grow and show their ability to their target audience. As noted previously, television is the only medium available, and it is very expensive. Now, YouTube is the simplest, least expensive, and most accessible option. We can see that not everyone is not comfortable with technology and the majority of the ladies who have no idea how to run or upload video are now managing their channels with the assistance of their family while sitting at home, spreading the message they desire. YouTube is the most popular and accessible platform for startups. Reach is excellent. It is a complete transformation. Previously, we used physical cassettes to reach our intended audience. But now we see that the internet and social media platforms have made it simple for us.
What do you think is the future of Women’s entrepreneurship in the Indian music industry?
Deepti: Lata Mangeshkar is an excellent example of how women in the music industry always have a bright future. Other females in the creative sector, such as producers, cinematographers, directors, actors, and business owners, have come a long way and accomplished a lot. There are women all over the place. I believe that women will have a brighter future in the coming years.
Swati Natekar has blended her sonorous voice with the strenuous discipline of Classical music, Light Classical, Ghazals, Folk, and Devotional music, writes Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya, OBE
Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya, OBE
Established in 1993, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Manchester is the leading institution promoting Indian art and culture in the north west. The variety of classes and workshops have benefitted many and the team of committed teachers and management ensure that the rich cultural heritage of India is celebrated by all.
The Bhavan is delighted to present Swati Natekar’s musical concert ‘Nazrana 2022’
Hailing from a musical family, Swati Natekar has blended her sonorous voice with the strenuous discipline of Classical music, Light Classical, Ghazals, Folk, and Devotional music.
Born in Jabalpur in India, Swati began her music career at a very young age through regular performances on All India Radio, Bhopal and later in Mumbai where her musical career grew.
Swati shifted to London in 1990 and her private concerts led to many national and international concerts. She has performed with many reputed artists such as Sonu Nigam and her albums have been released by the music producer Biddu and Navras Records while her ghazal track was included by Warner Brothers in their movie. This led to her working with many western music producers and her album was nominated for the Mercury Music awards, UK. Swati has also been nominated for World Dance Star award 2001 for her track ‘Jakatta – American Dream’
Swati set up her own record label ‘Harmony Creations Limited’ and has since recorded a Traditional Ghazal album titled ‘Anjuman’. In 2007, Swati recorded & released an album ‘Surmohee’, a compilation of her mother & Guru’s compositions sung by various artists including Swati.
Swati has recorded “Vaishnav Jan” to represent U.K. for the 150th year of Gandhi Jayanti and composed & sang poetry for an exhibition at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London.
Swati will be accompanied by fantastic team of U.K. based musicians –
The country’s original and the oldest rock festival ever, Independence Rock is undoubtedly the stage where it all began – from power-packed rock music concerts, giving several huge names their big break to sparking the Indian rock spirit…reports Asian Lite News
The history of rock music has seen a celebratory, volatile yet unpredictable emergence in India, making a huge impact on its millennial mindset. Undoubtedly, rock music will keep evolving, drawing from its rich history while continuing to keep its ear open for the next sonic reinvention. In India, Independence Rock has been that reinvention. As Farhad, Paytm Insider, and Hyperlink, bring I-Rock back, they will emulate the hard-rock traditions of the past while also giving it a contemporary spin.
With some of the most celebrated artists from the rock industry, the resurgence of I-Rock’s up-tempo celebration in 2022 aims to be a renewed representation of India’s thriving rock scene, with a promise to regain its cult status as a music festival unlike any other. This new chapter will see the iconic festival continue to democratize music as it unflinchingly questions the status quo and reflects on social and cultural changes. Through music alone, I-Rock aims to honor India’s rock legacy and provide the youth with a creative platform to express non-conformist ideas, freedom of speech, inclusivity, and equality.
Farhad Wadia, Founder of Independence Rock, said, “Intimate storytelling, realistic humane emotion, accomplished musicianship – so much is encapsulated in rock music. With Independence Rock, we celebrated this spectacular genre of music. It’s my great fortune and privilege to revive Independence rock in partnership with my dear friends Jairam, Neale, and Jaishankar at Hyperlink and give a new generation of Rock Fans the opportunity to experience the oldest running rock festival in India, also known as the Woodstock of India.”
The country’s original and the oldest rock festival ever, Independence Rock is undoubtedly the stage where it all began – from power-packed rock music concerts, giving several huge names their big break to sparking the Indian rock spirit. The festival has always been a platform to showcase fresh new talent in the scene and will continue to do so this year.
VG Jairam, Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions said, “Rock music reflects a social and cultural change in society and is a force in its own right. As the original generations of rock & roll fans matured, the music became an accepted and deeply interwoven thread in popular culture. With its core vision of multidimensional storytelling, creating cultural movements, and connecting consumers with culture, Hyperlink has partnered with Farhad Wadia & Paytm Insider to resurrect and re-introduce this iconic marquee music, cultural, and lifestyle movement to today’s millennials.”
“The live events industry is currently enjoying the post-covid boom. At such a time, the comeback of something as massive as I-Rock is a masterstroke. Undeniably, people are going to be euphoric and we are thrilled to be part of this historic comeback, more so because it will be unlike any of its previous editions. The resurgence of a platform, rather a movement, that has familiarized some of the most famous rock bands in India does not only mean good news for fans and aspiring artists, but also for the industry,” added Varun Khare, Business Head, Live Entertainment – IPs & Partnerships at Paytm Insider.
For someone who has worked with a genre-bending filmmaker like Q besides Raju Margin for ‘Gypsy’, and has broken multiple boundaries in music and fused different traditions, she says that sometimes one does not know boundaries are there until she/he has broken them…reports Sukant Deepak
Like other South Indian diaspora kids whose uprooted parents wanted them to retain something of their heritage, she may have started learning Carnatic music as a child. However, her teenage years meant that Susheela Raman could not connect with it anymore… It was old R&B, Motown, and getting touched by the great African-American female artists like Bille Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone.
“I was also drawn to old blues like Howlin’ Wolf and Skip James as well as 60s psychedelic rock like the Doors, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles. I formed a band when I was 16- years – old and we used to perform covers of all the above. My parents were quite shocked when told that I was going to do concerts at local venues. However, looking back now, they were quite accepting and did not stand in my way, allowing me space to follow my curiosity in music,” she tells.
Raman, who moved back to London, where she was born, in her early 20’s rediscovered a new passion for music from the subcontinent. Particularly struck by the sound of qawwali as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan had begun to become known in the west, she was fascinated by the work of British Indian artist, Sheila Chandra who combined Indian rhythmic and melodic ideas with English folk influences. “It helped set me on my own peculiar musical journey experimenting, combining Western and Indian influences,” remembers the singer.
Someone who has been doing striking conceptual work for years now with her life and musical partner Sam Mills since 1997, says that it has been during this time that was able to reimagine the Carnatic songs of her youth which provided the bedrock for the first album ‘Salt Rain’ alongside songs they wrote ourselves. “‘Salt Rain’ was released in 2001 to significant acclaim. In the end, my parents were very happy and proud that those musical adventures had found an audience,” she smiles.Talk to the singer, who performed with Kanai Das Baul as part of ‘I Believe Art Matters’, an initiative by Teamwork presented by Sheela Kanoria Foundation, about her enchanting ‘Ghost Gamelan’ film series which was a recording, live and film project which began in 2015 after a trip to Indonesia and ran up until the pandemic put a lid on travelling, and she says that hearing Gamelan music in that country was otherworldly and magical.
“We fell in love with these beautifully dissonant-sounding metallic orchestras. We ended up in Solo
in Central Java and it was intriguing to discover that the South Indian connection with Javanese culture runs deep. We met some excellent musicians who experiment with music as a way of life and worked a new style of working with this music combining our own songs (in English) with the gamelan. It is quite a unique sound,” she says.
For someone who has worked with a genre-bending filmmaker like Q besides Raju Margin for ‘Gypsy’, and has broken multiple boundaries in music and fused different traditions, she says that sometimes one does not know boundaries are there until she/he has broken them.
“Perhaps being a child of the diaspora meant that I have to create my own mix of things else how would my life make sense? Collaboration is always with individuals not traditions. People represent themselves and we all mix with who we want to and are able and welcome to mix with. Making music is part of being human. It travels and it will always evolve and change. Perhaps creation is sometimes destruction. I am not sure there are really any ‘purists’ who frown at any experimentation. That is a caricature, but we have had blowback from cultural conservatives who claimed we were ‘mixing the unmixable’ or showing disrespect, which was never the intention,” says the musician who believes that music is in the body and of the body, whether performing or hearing — but the ‘physical’ does not mean things are not spiritual or magical or transcendent.
