There is something about stringed instruments that strikes a chord in almost everyone. This November, the fest will present two gifted musicians — Ganesh Rajagopalan (of the violin duo Ganesh-Kumaresh) and Debashish Bhattacharya — who will perform together for the very first time in India. With a a virtuoso violinist from the folds of Carnatic music and a Grammy-nominated slide guitarist from a Hindustani background, the concert spans the stretch of Indian classical music. Adrishta was first performed at the reputed Theatre de la Ville in Paris.
This collaboration is a perfectly choreographed medley of two traditions, instruments, and artists. Not only does each musician meet and match the other’s style, the two performers also explore the boundaries of Indian classical music through the mixing and matching of ragas from both systems of classical music. Interestingly, both instruments are non-traditional Indian instruments. This mélange of unconventional sounds emanating from traditional ragas in different styles renders the collaboration nothing short of magical.
While the thrill of a traditional jugalbandi is in the fact that there are two or more renowned musicians indulging in improvisation, this collaboration is performed after rehearsal. Every piece of music that drifts from the stage has been tried and tested so as to get that perfect blend of Carnatic-Hindustani, violin-slide guitar, Ganesh-Debashish. It has been experimented with, ragas have been matched, and the artists have gone about it with sharp skill and pure spirit. And now they bring the music to you.
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November 17, Corporation Kalai Arangam, Coimbatore, 7.30 p.m.
November 26, Ravindra Bharathi Auditorium, Hyderabad, 7.30 pm.
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Ganesh Rajagopalan: Violin
Debashish Bhattacharya: Slide Guitar
Patri Satish Kumar: Mridangam (Coimbatore concert)
Anantha R. Krishnan (Hyderabad concert)
Trichy Krishna: Ghatam
Abhijit Banerjee: Tabla