Bhakti Vaani to showcase jugalbandi of genres

Bhakti Vaani, a jugalbandi of 2 classical streams, has been curated by Carnatic exponent Chitra Srikrishna and Hindustani vocalist Rama Sundar Ranganathan. “This is performance volition bring live the fervent devotion and lyrical extent of Bhakti poesy from crossed India,” says Chitra.

The rendering volition see compositions from poet-saints specified arsenic Andal, Akka Mahadevi, Kabir, Meera, Tulsidas, Bulleh Shah and Purandara Dasa.

According to Rama, the show has been structured astir ragas autochthonal to each genre. “Among the absorbing highlights volition beryllium pairings specified arsenic Carnatic ragas Nattai and Kalyani with Jog and Yaman, respectively, the second 2 being from the Hindustani subdivision of classical music. Other ragas volition uncover shared structures crossed traditions,” she says. 

“Audiences tin besides expect contrasting ragas; and a magical gathering of Purandara Dasa’s ‘Rama’ and Meera’s ‘Ram’, a rarity, fixed Meera’s beardown recognition with Lord Krishna. This recital is not restricted to vocalists alone, different musicians volition supply the melody by blending genres and creating boundless forms of music,” adds Chitra.

Rama and Chitra volition beryllium accompanied by Sumith Naik connected the tabla, Bharath Hegde connected the harmonium, violinist Aditi Krishnaprakash and mridangist Adamya Ramanand.

Both artistes volition contiguous the spiritual strength of the works they person chosen, portion retaining their determination flavor. Keeping successful caput that listeners mightiness necessitate discourse to a fewer of the pieces, Chitra says the performance volition diagnostic little introductions betwixt songs to usher them.

As an educator, Chitra explores however euphony shapes civilization done her lectures and courses astatine universities successful Ahmedabad, Boston and Washington. As adjunct prof of euphony astatine Ahmedabad University, she has taught interdisciplinary courses specified arsenic Musical Traditions of India; How Music Shapes Cities: Varanasi to NYC and more.

Chitra says, “My absorption is connected making Indian euphony accessible to a wider assemblage done workshops and thematic productions by exploring euphony arsenic a surviving dialogue. Works specified arsenic Abhaya (women poets), Mukti (freedom), Pravaas (migration), Udaan (birds successful poetry), and others that weave song, story, and imagery into immersive, multilingual experiences person been good received by audiences astatine planetary platforms.” 

Rama is simply a Ganda Bandh Shagird of Pandit Tejpal Singh, the oldest surviving disciple of Padma Bhushan Ustad Amir Khan. She has been performing for implicit 2 decades and was conferred with the Kala Ratan Samman Award successful 2023 by the territory medication of Gurgaon for her portion successful expanding an consciousness of Hindustani music. Her contributions besides find notation successful Alka Pande’s book,108 Portraits of Culture and Heritage.

Bhakti Vaani volition beryllium held astatine Indiranagar Sangeet Sabha, Purandhara Bhavana connected December 20 astatine 5.30pm. Entry escaped for ISS members. Call 080-41722215 for summons bookings.