21 March: SINGH Strings. The first of our festival of Four World Music Concerts
The ‘Our Music Planet’ Festival of world music kicks-off with a celebration of the music from the Indian sub-continent. We welcome the Singh Strings to Calstock Arts for their first performance at the Old Chapel. The trio is a truly family affair. Led by Sitar maestro, Dharambir Singh, he is accompanied by his two talented sons Kaviraj Singh (Santoor/Voice) and Upneet Singh (Tabla). Weaving together melodic improvisations, rhythmic cycles, and soulful compositions, the ensemble creates an immersive listening experience that transcends cultural boundaries.
The performance will take us on a journey through the intricate world of ‘classical’ Raagdhari music that originated in Northern India and dates back many centuries. Raagdhari music is mainly melodic rather than harmonic, and consists of a basic melodic line played or sung against complex patterns of rhythm. The melody is founded on a raga (Sanskrit for colour or passion), comprising a series of five or more musical notes, and evoking various moods in the listener and performers, while the rhythm is called tala (clap or beat). The concert will transport you on a soulful journey through a selection of beautiful ragas. Here is a taster of what to expect:
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx4pWdrw5xencrZEQyW0bMxhWqxESo7rOG?si=t9Ql_GXgAi6eHBXx
Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE is one of the most prominent and revered figures of Indian classical music in the UK. His soulful Sitar renditions carry the legacy of Raagdhari music, playing intricate ragas with depth and devotion. He is a pioneer in the nurturing of South Asian arts in the UK, and was founder and artistic director of South Asian Arts UK (https://www.saa-uk.org/) that has been at the forefront of promoting, preserving and facilitating South Asian music and dance across the UK for more than 25 years. Dharambir was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2011.
Kaviraj Singh is well known for his mastery of the Santoor and for his mellifluous vocals. Over the years, he has garnered immense acclaim for his performances, demonstrating a rare blend of technical brilliance, emotional depth, and artistic finesse, making him a highly sought-after artist in the realm of Indian classical music.
Upneet Singh has an innate musicality as a Tabla player. He has developed a fine balance between the art of accompaniment and technical skill. His dynamic Tabla rhythms provide the heartbeat to the ensemble, showcasing dexterity, grace, and rhythmic storytelling that are deeply routed in the traditions of Indian classical percussion.
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