The best of both worlds

A showcase of Indian and Western Classical music comes to town and raises a toast for worthy causes

March 23, 2017 03:27 pm | Updated 03:27 pm IST

Karnataka : Bengaluru : 16/01/2015 . Hindustani classical singer , Durga Jasraj in Bengaluru on 16th January 2015. Photo : Bhagya Prakash K

Karnataka : Bengaluru : 16/01/2015 . Hindustani classical singer , Durga Jasraj in Bengaluru on 16th January 2015. Photo : Bhagya Prakash K

Bengaluru’s musicscape is about diversity and this weekend promises to an eclectic mix of Indian and Western performances.

Close on the heels of the recent 15th East West Music and Dance Encounter, The Bangalore School of Music hosts an international concert by classical guitar quartet from France – the Terra Guitar Quartet.

The group, with four young guitarists who travelled to France to continue studying classical guitar under French maestro Judicael Perroy, are on a nationwide tour. Comprising Pedro Rocha from Brazil, Madhavan Somanathan from India, Jihyung Park from South Korea and Xavier Jara from USA, Terra is an amalgamation of worlds and sounds.

This is an exciting moment for the quartet, says Madhavan. “We are looking forward to performing in Bengaluru because the city has a receptive, enthusiastic and interested audience. I hope they take away a different music experience since this is something they have probably never heard before.” He adds that the space for their kind of music is still nascent for the audiences here in India. “This is not something you hear often.”

On what inspired their name, Madhavan says they all came to study in France at around the same time from different parts of the world. “We came from different cultures, languages, backgrounds and locations. Terra was chosen to encompass that idea that we are heterogeneous and a diverse mixture of people from across the world.”

At the heart of their music, Madhavan says, is two things. “First, we as individuals could never play what we play as a group. So this is an opportunity for us to learn from one another and together. My colleagues are the best musicians I’ve ever played with. Second and more important, we were friends before we became colleagues. So that comes to define our heart.”

Commenting on their music, Madhavan explains that the guitar quartet music is unique. “It didn’t exist as a concept until the second half of the 20th Century. Some ensembles like the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet revolutionised the concept and a lot of new music specifically written for the guitar quartet came only after that. Most of the music was written not more than 50 years ago and though it is seen as contemporary and modern – that doesn’t even come close to encompassing the wide breath of the music.”

He elaborates that however, they are all trained in classical music. “So we also play special arrangements of music composed by the classical composers that are orchestral for various instruments. These pieces can be transcribed and arranged quite surprisingly and effectively for the guitar quartet. Although these are four instruments that sound the same, they can be arranged differently with each of us playing the melody, rhythm and bass. The guitars evoke a wide range of tones, colours and percussive effects that make the inventory of the quartet.”

Catch the foursome live at the Aruna Sunderlal Auditorium, The Bangalore School of Music, RT Nagar, on March 25 at 7 pm. Tickets at ₹ 200 available on bookmyshow and venue. The Quartet will also conduct guitar masterclasses at The Bangalore School of Music on March 26. Call 41285017

For the environment

There is something beautiful about making music for a cause and when it involves Indian classical music and the environment, the confluence is definitely at next level. That is the premise for ‘SBI-Panchtatva’, a 2017 concert tour celebrating the environment and sustainability as a musical based on the five elements of nature – ‘Aakash’ (Space), ‘Vaayu’ (Wind), ‘Agni’ (Fire), ‘Jal’ (Water) and ‘Prithvi’ (Earth).

Coming to Bengaluru as part of a multi-city tour, ‘SBI-Panchtatva’, conceptualised by Durga Jasraj, the co-founder of The Indian Music Academy and director of Art & Artistes, is an immersive experience of specially designed animation with soundscapes. Featuring world-renowned artistes, including Ustaad Rashid Khan, Purbayan Chatterjee, Taufiq Qureshi, Subhankar Banerjee, Sridhar Parthasarthy, Bangalore Amrit N, Rattan Mohan Sharma, Ankita Joshi, Shashank Subramanyam, Pravin Godkhindi and Durga Jasraj, the concert is an effort towards a sustainable tomorrow.

What’s in store is an experience that will be remembered for a long time, says Durga. “It is an audio-visual treat based on the five elements of nature being musically expressed by a range of eclectic musicians. It is an integrated musical experience backed by animated visuals.” What inspired this theme, Durga says, is her endeavour to be responsible to the environment. “Reading about all that is happening around me pushed me to do something. Since I’m not an environmentalist or a scientist, I can only do what comes best to me and that is to find a musical expression. Blame it on my genes if you like,” she laughs and adds: “With three generations of musical exposure from my father Pandit Jasraj and my grandfather V Shantaram, I could conceive this on a scale that will attract people. The concert is not preachy, but by highlighting the elements of nature, we want people to go back feeling more responsible to nature.”

Durga also points out that the partnership with SBI was very cohesive. “They are doing their bit – rolling out a sustainability programme and giving away saplings to every individual. On our part, if our music can go beyond musicianship, I think we have achieved something worthwhile. We want to use the medium of entertainment and music to go beyond the horizon for this cause.”

Be part of the ensemble’s live performance at Lakeside Amphitheatre, Orion Mall, on March 25 from 6.30 pm. Entry free.

ON THE SIDELINES

All star show

bFlat hosts the Rotem Sivan Trio featuring an all star line-up with New York jazz guitarist Rotem Sivan, who wil perform his original jazz compositions with Mexican drummer, Karina Colis and French bassist, Mishko M'Ba. They will be followed by a late set with the Shreya Bhattacharya collective playing contemporary jazz and RnB.

Where: BFlat, Indiranagar

When: March 25

Time: 9 pm onwards

Call: 25278361

For a cause

Bengaluru’s very own classic heavy metal band Girish and The Chronicles will perform at Bak Bak Bar for music for a cause along with Australia’s ‘Ride for Rights’ – a four member biker group who are on a mission to spread awareness about child rights in India. Proceeds go to CRY.

Where: Bak Bak Bar, Koramangala

When: March 24

Time: 8.30 pm

Tribute

Prahlad Mira Academy will present ‘The Immortals’, a tribute to legendary singers from the golden era of Bollywood, featuring Prahlad Prasad and guest musicians who will render some foot-tapping ditties from the yester years. Where: MLR Auditorium, Brigade Millenium, JP Nagar, 7th Phase

When: March 26

Time: 5.30 pm

Groove to this

A grooving start to this weekend with Groovemeisters

Experience the art of story-telling through music with four-piece band Groovemeister who tell stories through the sounds of contemporary rhythms laced with influences of contemporary jazz, blues, funk and soul.

Where: Marea Bar, Howard Johnson Bengaluru, Hebbal

When: March 24

Time: 8.30 pm

Sound options

BFlat also plays hosts to some good vibes indie pop / rock with InTheNow and good old orange rock by Mad Orange Fireworks. Expect an evening of elements of pop, singer-songwriter space of good lyrics, strong harmonies and melodies, a bit of progressive rock and a newly self-defined, unique ‘orange rock’

Where: BFlat, Indiranagar

When: Marc 24

Time: 9 pm onwards

Call: 41739250

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