South Indian and Australian classical musicians have banded together for a concert tour of south India that is on now.
The man behind this concert series is mridangam vidwan Kaaraikkudi Mani.
Mani's Sruthilaya Kendra and Australia Art Orchestra will present a contemporary jazz music concert for the first time in Chennai at The Music Academy on June 5 evening.
Over the years, foreign musicians have collaborated with Mani on concerts and studio recordings and albums.
These eminent musicians inlcude
John Neptune - Chakuvasi, the flutist, composer Mr.Eero of Finland, Jaimy Baum, the flutist, Kenneth Wessel and Jerom Harris (guitarists from USA),
Livo Magnini (guitarist) and Elio Marchesini (percussionist) from Italy.
Another notable collaboration has been with the legendary musician Paul Simon in Manhatten recording for his forthcoming album along with Jaimy Hadded, the renowned percussionist. Interestingly Paul Simon, collaborated with Ravi Shankar (sitar maestro) in the 60s.
Sruthilaya and Australian Art Orchestra have been collaborating for more than a decade now. 'Into the Fire' has been a popular music production.
That collaboration has led to 'Oceanic Dream' which is being performed in Hyderabad, Mysore and Bangalore before moving to Chennai for the last concert of tour. The group will then spend three days in the recording studio with a view to a new album release later in the year.
'Oceanic Dream' features guru Kaaraikudi Mani (mridangam), V. Suresh (ghatam), B V Balasai (flute) and U P Raju (mandolin).
These talented Carnatic artistes are joined by Australian jazz artistes Adrian Sheriff (trombone), Sandy Evans (saxophone, flute), Alister Spence (keyboards), Philip Rex (double bass), Lachlan Davidson (saxophone, clarinet, piccolo), Scott Tinkler (trumpet) and Niko Schauble (drums).
The musical journey of the Indian and Australian musicians began in 1997 when the AAO was invited by the Australian Government to perform in India as a goodwill exchange to mark the anniversary of Indian Independence.
The Australian musicians decided that if they were coming to play for Indian audiences then they should attempt to create a piece of music which reflected the traditions of both cultures.They came into contact with Kaaraikudi Mani (through his disciple and co-ordinator of Sruthilaya chapter in Melbourne, Ravichandra) to adapt his music compositions from his albums.
Later, Mani responded to their request to play along not only his compositions but also perform AAO’s repertoire. This was the beginning of the 'Into the Fire' production which proved so popular with Indian and Australian audiences that the collaboration continues to this day.
The musicians have been constantly working together since that time, writing new pieces, touring , recording and enjoying the rewards of a warm friendship which has grown between them.
Now, 'Oceanic Dream' reflects an expanding repertoire of music of the two groups whose hallmark is the seamless blending of Indian classical music and the improvisational elements of Western jazz improvisation and new Australian music.
'Into the Fire' has been performed to critical acclaim in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Calcutta, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Adelaide International Arts Festival, London, Prague, Copenhagen and Finland and was featured at the 2007 Mumbai Arts Festival with a special presentation at the Gateway of India monument.
You can contact Sruthilaya Kendra in Chennai, India at 98408-34636.
