This weekend, witness the rare amalgamation of sitar and Kathak as part of Rendezvous: a Jazz, Hindustani and Carnatic Confluence . Having spread the sound and versatility of the instrument to Western audiences, Deobrat Mishra will lend his skills to the Kathak dancer Harshada Jambekar’s fierce footwork. Together, they’ll engage in a jugalbandi of kajaris and thumris. Jambekar, an upcoming danseuse will be accompanied by the sitar for the first time.
This particular marriage between mediums (music and dance) highlights the co-dependency of art forms and how by lending themselves to each other, they produce something new altogether. In a world where few are willing to sit through a classical music concert, “combination music is the best way to present different forms to audiences,” says Mishra, an exponent of the Benares gharana style who will also present a solo recital of his skills with the sitar.
The line-up also includes Manisha Ram, a jazz singer and Hindustani classical vocalist who will cover hits from the legendary Louis Armstrong’s vast repertoire. Towards the end, piano and guitar solos by Zoheb Khan and Vichoo Iyer respectively, will set the stage for tabla player Unmesha Athavale Gangal, A.L. Nath on the mridangam and Gopi Shravan on the drums. A particular highlight of the multi-performance show is Konnakol (vocal percussion) portion by B.R Somashekar Jois.
The aim of the concert is a way to show the world that although different styles of music are mutually exclusive and have a splendour of their own, they all converge at some point to create unique symphonies.
Rendezvous: a Jazz, Hindustani and Carnatic Confluence takes place this evening at 5.45 p.m. at Kaifi Azmi Park in Juhu. Entry is free.