Drumming it Up

The thump of more than 50 sets of percussion instruments and strains of some melodic tunes are all set to float in the damp air of Purana Qila.

Over 100 musicians from across the country will come together at the Purana Qila this weekend for a UN initiative
The thump of more than 50 sets of percussion instruments and strains of some melodic tunes are all set to float in the damp air of Purana Qila as 100 indigenous percussionists and string artistes from across the country prepare to take the stage on Saturday. Titled Stand Up,Make Noise,the concert is a UN initiative and is a part of the global campaign,Millenium Declaration,a commitment signed by 189 nations to have a peaceful and equitable world by 2015 through organising musical events and exhibitions across the world. This concert is being organised in collaboration with Seher,a city-based NGO promoting performing arts. This concert is an initiative to raise awareness among the citizens by creating a buzz or noise. It is all about letting people know and highlighting the critical role that India is playing in achieving the declaration goals, said Mandira Moddie,campaign and advocacy specialist,UN Millennium Campaign.

The entire orchestra is being conducted by Delhi-based violinist Sharat Chandra Srivastav who is the lead violinist of popular band Mrigya and an exponent of the Senia gharana (known for its dhrupad ang of playing music). Assisting him is Imphal-based pena performer Mayanglambam Mangangsana and Shri Ganesh who are composing solo pieces for the north-eastern and south Indian

orchestras respectively. It is not often that we get to hear music from most parts of India,together on one stage. It is a beautiful concept and the musicians are excellent. However,achieving perfection is going to be quite a mammoth task, says Srivastav who is busy rehearsing at Bal Bhavan these days.

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Apart from fusing different styles of music,Srivastav has also tried to include rare instruments like ravan hatha an eighth century instrument,besides chandi and tevil,all of which would be paired with nagara,veena,mridangam,kanjira,sitar and violins for a mishmash of sounds.

Delhi-based mridangam player Sri Ganesh,who has performed with artistes like Sonal Mansingh,Swapna Sundari,Geeta Chandran and many others,says,The practice sessions themselves are a great sight to watch as every instrument has a temprament of its own and once all of them get together,the sound is extremely overpowering. Ganeshs composition is set in Raga Hansadhwani.

The variety that you will get to see here is something unique. These folk artistes may not fall under the category of celebrities,but there are thriving in their respective villages via legacies of their folk instruments. We wanted to bring them all together on one platform as Indias tribute to the UN, said Sanjeev Bhargava,creative director,Seher.

The concert will open with Buddhist and sufi chants followed by the individualistic sounds of the traditional bugle and the been. After this,the solo pieces of various regions will begin and then be merged with the sounds of different drums. Incidentally,Pung Cholam- the north eastern acrobatic drum dance will also be an integral part of the performance. It is extremely interesting to see that so many different instruments with completely different sound can come together and create something so magical, says Mangangsana. I dont think many people have tried to match the sound of the high pitched tabla with the Rajasthani nagara or a punjabi dhol with Naga log drums, adds Srivastav.

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After the individual pieces,the grand finale will be in Raag Bilawal where all the different forms will come together as one orchestra. The plan is to create a crescendo while intricately trying to weave rhythms with the melody, says Srivastav,who will initiate the finale with a set of violins. We are all set to tune in.

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