Those who are new to the bansuri may be drawn to it through an intuition that the instrument is spiritual in nature. More than a cliché, this is in fact the essence of the instrument. Deepak relates the search for the essential question posed by Indian philosophy, “Who am I?,” and notes that archetypal player of the bansuri, Lord Krishna, reminds people that “Sound was the first manifestation of being. Sound was the first manifestation of matter.”
The DVD features the colorful 2006 live concert at the Pacific Cultural Center of Santa Cruz, California and includes informative and insightful interviews of both musicians in a relaxed setting. The background information is much appreciated by connoisseurs of North Indian classical music while at the same time helping to give the uninitiated listener a grounded point of reference.
The spiritual element of Deepak’s playing is not only clearly evident from the breathtaking unfolding of the four ragas which are developed in the concert, but also through the close-ups of the camera and through Deepak’s words directly:
“What bansuri means to me is: Its an extension of my own breath. Breathing is what keeps us alive and is something that happens constantly – it’s the very essence of life, the very essence of being. This is also something which classical yogic studies focus on – the breath. What bansuri is – if I can translate this thing that is part of me through this bamboo and create something which hopefully is beautiful to me and to others who listen to it.”
A further treat of the DVD is the rare interview of the tabla legend, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, whose playing is nothing short of telepathic throughout the entire concert. Anindo Chatterjee is recognized as one of India’s most eminent tabla players. His resume is studded with honors and awards, including the President’s award in 1970.
The concert that this DVD documents reveals the performers in the relaxed setting of a small concert hall, which enables the camera to capture the intimacy of their interaction in a way which can’t even be experienced live. Concert program features four ragas; Janasamohini, Charukeshi, Jog and Sindhu Bhairavi.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
