In Manoj George’s hands, the violin sings for joy, dances in jubilation and cries in sorrow. He makes it speak a language made fluent by years of practice and plenty of imagination. “I play an Indian contemporary style,” he says. “Whether it is a folk tune or a raga-based melody, electronica or jazz, my music always has an Indian soul.” For his experimentation with the violin’s possibilities and his distinct sound, Manoj has recently been honoured twice — first by an endorsement from Japanese instrument manufacturers, Roland, and second by Italian violin makers, Cantini.
Manoj first picked up the violin when he was 13. “I heard a senior violinist in my church in Thrissur play and I wanted to do the same. Now I realise, it was a late start. Many of my contemporaries began when they were five and six years old.” Manoj went on to study under Thrissur’s famed tutor Leslie Peter, and later at Chetana Music Academy under Fr. Thomas, known for its reputed alumni such as Stephen Devassy. He completed several Trinity College of London Grades, often skipping to higher levels until he received his Licentiate certification (LTCL).
Western classical music and Indian film music, with the occasional strains of Indian classical music, were Manoj’s influences thus far. The big break came when he joined Raghu Dixit to begin a world-fusion band with a folk music focus, named Antaragni. “We toured together a lot and our highlight was opening for Bryan Adams’ Bangalore show in 2001. That was the first time we were playing before an audience 40,000-strong. It was an experience like none other,” he says. But Manoj soon left Antaragni to pursue a solo career. He free-lanced as a sessions musician, travelled four continents with various singers and finally brought his various musical interests together in his debut album, ‘Lost for Words’. The project took forward Manoj’s penchant for fusion music. A song on the track, ‘Beantown Blues’, mixes Raag Jog with a blues groove, while ‘Habibi’ blends Arabic and Indian rhythm styles. Presently, he’s working on an eight-track new album that showcases his more recent compositions. “This too is world-fusion and it will feature many other guest artistes who I’ve worked with before such as drummer Gino Banks.” In the near future, Manoj looks forward to world tours with Stephen Devassy and Lucky Ali. His personal outfit, Manoj George4Strings, of which he is frontman, is all set for concerts across the US this October.
Much of Manoj’s composing happens on the road, he says. “I travel a lot so I practice in hotel rooms or when I have a little free time at home. As and when a tune or a rhythm comes to me, I quickly record it into my phone. Even if I sit down to compose the full song months later, the basic idea will come back to me from these recordings.” The background scores he has written for National Award-winning Malayalam children’s film Kharaksharangal,Vaadhyaar , and Kannada flick Aathmeeya were created this way.
Manoj has also just completed work on a documentary film about those affected with HIV, named Shine On , by Snehadaan an NGO that works with the HIV-positive. Alongside running his music academy in Bangalore, New Wave Music Centre, Manoj says he finds time to make music for those who rarely find their way to concerts. “I recently played at the Bangalore jail. Such performances are very inspiring. The happiness and joy from the audience is a different kind of high.”
