Jaipur is all set to host a three-day musical extravaganza spanning an array of genres, over 100 artists and a wide repertoire of music styles. The third edition of the India Music Summit by Musiconcepts in partnership MTV, would be held at The Fairmont in Jaipur from 4-6 October 2019. Featuring a diverse line-up of devotional, classical, jazz, ghazal, folk, instrumental, and contemporary music, the formats would range from baithaks, conversations and solo performances to collaborative jams and master classes.
Purbayan Chatterjee
Classical music is one of the curatorial highlights of the summit this time. Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee observes, “I am glad that a youth-associated company like MTV is connected with a summit that is holistic and brings classical together with so many other genres. Usually, Indian music is understood as falling into the film or non-film categories by the regular music enthusiast. With this summit, there would also be a deeper understanding and awareness of various genres and sub-genres within the Indian music scene, for instance there are classical, folk, experimental fusion styles and they all have further sub-categories.”
The music programming includes multiple activities and ways of engaging. Chatterjee opines that the presentation of classical music in different ways is impactful in the present scenario, “It is not only about the performance but also about people getting together, a community being created of artists and audience. The focus on classical music is great to initiate discussions and as a classical artist I always look forward to collaborating with other musicians and across genres.”
Classical at the forefront
Among the highlights of the collaborative concerts, is the special performance called Junoon, a journey through desire, presented by percussion maestros Vikku Vinayakram and Taufiq Qureshi along with master instrumentalist Shujaat Khan and vocalist Javed Ali. The unplugged set would also feature Aslam Sabri and troupe. For Qureshi, “Collaboration is at the heart of music making, where you tune in to each other’s ideas and emotion through music, and that connection impulsively resonates with the audience.” Veteran Hindustani vocalist, Pandit M Venkatesh Kumar feels it is a great opportunity to present the nuances of raagdari to a wide audience. “I am a classical artist and I want to share the depth of khayal gayaki and pure raga music with the audience.” Steeped in the elements of bhakti, his renditions combine the aesthetics of Gwalior and Kirana gharanas of the Hindustani style along with aspects of Carnatic music. “The essence of classical music is rigour,” he says reflecting on his austere music and lifestyle. “I spent years devoted to riyaaz, where I did not even think of performing, just learnt, sang and immersed myself in music. Today, when I perform I want to share that immersive experience with rasikas.”
As a professor at the University College of Music, Dharwad, for several years, Kumar mentored many students in the aesthetics of khayal gayaki. “Sometimes, young musicians feel it is important to present something new to audience every time. I don’t believe so. I may sing the same bandish multiple times, depending on the mood, mahaul and other factors. Great musicianship is about presenting the same thing anew each time.”
For young classical vocalist, Mohammed Aman, it is an opportunity to present myriad flavours of the Agra and Patiala gharana styles of Hindustani music. “My gurus – my grandfather and father, taught me that the solo performance is like a bouquet of flowers that we present to the audience. I will focus on compositions that offer a range of both gharanas in which I am trained. Jaipur has a community of discerning listeners and I believe they would enjoy this repertoire.”
Playing to the future
Child prodigy pianist, Lydian Nadhaswaram, matches his incredible teenage talent with rare maturity. The 13-year old Chennai boy recently won the ‘The World’s Best’ global talent contest and has been mentored at A R Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory. His musical feats include playing at spellbinding speed, playing blindfolded, and playing two pianos at the same time. “Someday I want to compose music for Hollywood movies,” he states. “I love experimenting with different music software and there is a lot to learn online.” When quizzed about his upcoming performance in Jaipur, he points out that he would love to perform anywhere and everywhere, “even on another planet someday.”
Among the opening highlights, the conversation with legendary singer Asha Bhosle remains the delight that music aficionados look forward to. Sharing his excitement for the Summit, mentor, Prasoon Joshi, says, “We have grown up listening to Asha ji’s voice – I feel very fortunate that I will be speaking to her about her life and her music. We have all heard her sing but rarely have we heard her share her musical journey.”
The Summit promises a sampling of a variety of music at a riveting destination and offers a musical adventure for those who play by the ear and listen from the soul.
