There is always something magical about bringing the music of two worlds together and when the two happen to be Indian and Western Classical – the fusion is bound to be epic, which is precisely what the Golden Symphony Tour is doing in the city this Friday.
Featuring brothers Lakshay and Aayush Mohan on the sitar and sarod with cello maestro Barry Phillips, the performance promises a celebration of classical tunes. While the trio trained under Pandit Ravi Shankar, they first shared stage a year ago at the prestigious Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, in an exhibit dedicated to their mentor ‘Ravi Shankar: A Life In Music’.
Lakshay says that while they have been playing their sitar and sarod duet for many years now, this concert will see them head off in a new direction.
“We learnt from the same guru and share the same musical vision. The piece we performed with Barry last year was extraordinary. Since then, we’ve been looking forward to playing together again. Bengaluru will witness that magic.”
Talking about the performance, Lakshay says: “This is a collaboration where we take from each other – that is the only way we can form a true blend. The concert will see neither Indian Classical nor Western Classical music in their entirety, but rather elements of both in a new format.” Aayush chips in: “When we have these two genres coming together, the special aspect is that they maintain their individuality while sharing a common ground.”
Barry, is thrilled to be returning to India. “I have lots of great memories from visits to Bengaluru in the past – from my first visit passing through for a day during a train trip in 1993 to more recently playing cello with the Anoushka Shankar Project in 2009. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. And I desperately want a good dosa!” he laughs.
Their first performance a year ago featured Ravi Shankar’s ‘Pala Kafi’. Now Lakshay and Aayush have composed a new piece in the same spirit, yet totally their own, says Barry. “They have also been listening to Bach, and from his cello music, they have absorbed something of the essence and infused this into a raga – it is really quite something! We will also play a Swedish folk tune I had recorded some years ago which adds a new layer of fun.”
Barry affirms that he finds Indian Classical music, both Hindustani and Carnatic, beautiful, interesting, complex and wonderful. “Being from California, I’m sure I heard my first Indian music through Ravi Shankar from his tie-up with George Harrison of the Beatles. Since then I’ve studied and enjoyed all types of Indian music. Of course, the complexity is a riveting aspect, but the beauty that comes out of this complexity in the hands of a master – that is something I will always love about this music.”
Catch the maestros in action on July 29 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall at 7 p.m.
