A Manganiyaar Concert
It was the evening after I’d arrived into the small town with a population of 50000. Am supposed to head out to the rural area in the morning. A casual … Continue reading
The Musician
Indian Classical Music has a special style called the Banaras Gharana that originated in this magical place. And most students in the city learn Hindustani classical music in some form … Continue reading
Ganga Arti – Banaras Diaries
The consciousness in Banaras is focussed on two events – Sunrise – when it is time to do the Sunrise Arti, and Sunset – when it is time to do … Continue reading
Who doesn’t enjoy Music in the Park!
MUSIC IN THE PARK – Notes in Silk!!! Just received this beauty made in Canton a century ago! Am yet to count the number of instruments being played in this … Continue reading
The Bonona Festival of the Himalayan Aryans
October 2016 A trip to the interiors of the Himalayan ranges. A journey that would have taken 6 days by animal carriers 40 years ago but today takes 7 hours. … Continue reading
Ballad by the Bauls of Bengal
A glimpse of the music by the Bauls the wandering minstrels of Bengal
The Bridge to God – Shubha Mudgal
A note about the sublime experience of superlative performances of Indian Classical Music at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2016, Goa curated by Shubha Mudgal
The Land of the Sufi
Istanbul – almost exactly a year ago, I spent almost every evening eating at a small place near Topkapi palace. It was an open air restaurant with a basic menu … Continue reading
Lambanis Celebrating Life – Festive Dance
Ceremonial Dance of the Lambani group
Ancient Mongolian Buddhist Script for Musical Sutras
A note from 2012 – reposted We have all heard of Do Re Mi as the format for musical notation. It is a language in which we express music. Another … Continue reading
Music of the Desert
The Setting: An abandoned village in ruins – Kuldhara* in the desert outside Jaisalmer. An old man sits alone guard. Maybe he see the mirage of memories attached to this … Continue reading
Dances of the Dard Aryan People
The morning after we arrived, the village gathered together to arrange a small celebration. After several cups of butter tea and sweet tea with biscuits everyone helped each other to … Continue reading
Navratri – the Festival of Garba and Raas Dance
With the Full Moon night of this lunar month, the season of festivals begins in India. The festival phase of the year coincide with the lean activity phases in farming … Continue reading
Dancing to the Drums of Ryukyu
The folk dance of the historical Ryukyu kingdom, traditionally performed before the King & Queen, reenacted on a smaller scale. Many photos have been included of the various steps hoping … Continue reading
Sleep deprived in the Urban Forest
No – not urban jungle. I mean the urban forest. I live near the center of Panjim city with a little hill behind my block and a landscaped garden with … Continue reading
Music of the Manganiyar Tribe
The Manganiyars are famous through their shows worldwide titled the Manganiyar Seduction. Presented by international performance companies their music has received a platform it deserves. Awards and acclaim have followed … Continue reading
Janmashtami Festival in Mumbai
On Krishna’s birthday this folk festival brings the whole mega city together – mainly to watch the human pyramids, and to dance to the accompanying bands in the Mumbai monsoons! … Continue reading
