Some people are gifted; a popular saying but in the case of Sitar player Anoushka Shankar, her gift does not end with her ‘spectacle of talent’, but also the fact that she had the best teacher in her father, Legendary Sitar player, Pandit Ravi Shankar.
The daughter of the great classical musician, Anoushka has in a sense changed the ‘classic’ label from the music and now commands the connotation in more stylised fashion.
The star kid, has come a long way from ‘admiring music to being admired’.“Anoushka looks set to be as important as her father”, declares the BBC Music Magazine.
But for those who read reviews about artist before they watch their performances, for them, then, the 30-yearold Anoushka is more than what they bargained for as her performance is at best, splendid.
Enthralling Bangaloreans with her latest offering, the Traveller, she was in no mood for comparison as she strummed her way into the hearts and minds of a few fortunate city dwellers.
The fusion of the classical instrument and tunes from another ‘string obsessed country’, Spain, was indeed a treat for someone longing to learn about cultures through musical notes.
Her concert instilled the very fact that flamenco indeed has its roots in India.
Her love for Flamenco and its uninhibited musicality in expression oozed from every note that was played during the concert.
There were times when she played the most simple tune which Alvaro Antona matched on his flamenco with ease and expertise.
The other musicians include Sandra Carrasco vocals, Pirashanna Thevarajah percussion, Ramon Porrina percussion, Sanjeev Shankar shehnai, Alvaro Antona flamenco guitar, Padma Shankar violin, Shalini Patnaik Indian classical dancer and Kenji Ota on the tanpura.
Traveller, Lola’s Lullaby and Krishna were a few of the numbers that the Shankar played from a her latest album.
What was earlier considered the ‘opium of the old’ (classical music) has now been transformed by a few like her to make fusion.
A potpourri of geniuses and their innovation that comes from different times and state’s of mind, to blend in perfect harmony.
Such was the craze in the audience.
Traveller follows the gypsies’ journey from their roots in Rajasthan, across the continent to their new home in Spain.
The project, which Anoushka calls a “raga flamenco journey”, originated with her wish to retrace the 1000-year-old bond between Indian and Spanish musical traditions.
The musicians include Sandra Carrasco vocals, Pirashanna Thevarajah percussion, Ramon Porrina percussion, Sanjeev Shankar shehnai, Alvaro Antona flamenco guitar, Padma Shankar violin, Shalini Patnaik Indian classical dancer and Kenji Ota on the tanpura.
Special guests include Pepe Habichuela —flamenco guitar and Ricardo Mino—piano.