For the sixth year in a row, Soorya Performing Arts will present a family-friendly music festival featuring traditional, classical, instrumental and modern styles of Indian music.
Conceived by music gurus Seema Kasthuri and her husband, Prasanna Kasthuri, the free event at the Gandhi Center in St. Louis provides an overview of devotional, classical, folk, instrumental, film and modern music systems from India.
Showcasing Indian music’s four-millennia history, it provides a detailed study of music and life in Indian culture, from a peasant or weaver singing while working, to a royal musician singing in front of a king, or a devotee singing in the temple.
The styles of Indian music and the musicians who will perform them are:
Traditional:
The festival presents works of great poet composers, like Narsi Mehta from the state of Gujarat, who devoted his life to create beautiful works on relationships of metaphysics and nature. His songs are sung even 500 years after his passing. Punjab is the land of Sikh faith. Keertans are devotional hymns sung in praise of the Saint Guru Nanak and his spiritual work – Granth Saheeba. Bhai Sohan Singh and his two musicians will present the beautiful renditions of Keertans. Saint Chaitanya was a preacher from Bengal in 15th century, his followers took the path of selfless service. The founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness followed this great saint and spread the essence of simple living. A team from the ISCKON center will present Bhajan music with a full orchestra. Sai center presents the songs of baba who promoted universal brotherhood.
Annamacharya was a saint poet from the state of Andhra Pradesh, who lived in the 16th century. He created innumerous compositions in the Telugu language. A group led by Phani, owner of Paradise restaurant, will present the beautiful melodies from the 16th century. Devaranamas are 15th-century Kannada language poems. These devaranamas speak about social inequalities and injustices of medieval India. Mythili Rochan and other Sangama members will present these songs, reflecting the progressive minds, which defied discrimination.
Classical:
Sanskrit and Tamil are the oldest languages in the world. Tamil’s great work Thirupuzhal (15th century) will be presented by a group of Tamil people, led by Balachandra and Vidya Anand. Sant Tukaram and Naamdev created a social revolution in Maharashtra in 17th to 18th century, defying the age-old caste system. They preached oneness among all human beings. Their songs are called Abhangs. A group of musicians, led by Deepali and Kalpana, will present Abhang Gayan.
Instrumental:
Music in India is well researched in both rhythm and melody aspect. Distinctive approach of musical elements are clearly seen in two classical music systems – Carnatic music from South India and Hindustani Music from North India. St. Louis’ leading Carnatic musician Seema Kasthuri will present complex melodies with creativity of spontaneous notes and improvisation rhythm-less expansion of melody. She will present Kharaharapriya (Dorian) as main melody, with Kartik Balachandran on violin, and Shivananda on Mrudanga. Dancer and musician Prasanna Kasthuri will present a new approach to Carnatic music by using new poetry through an ancient music. He is applying old methods of singing to 21st-century Kannada poems. Well-known guitarist Todd Mosby will present the Hindustani music with the Etawa Gharana of Ustad Imrat Khan. He will be accompanied on Tabla by Partha Karmakar and elaborating on raagas from North India. Nithya Sai Ganesh will present a concert with the ancient Indian instrument – Veena. Soorya Music School will present the Sanskrit, Telugu songs pertaining to Carnatic music. Upcoming stars like Priya Kanna, Akshara, Sapthaka will sing at the event.
Modern:
Music of India has changed a lot since the days of traditional music. The influence of the West has led to the creation of Bollywood, which imbibes the qualities of Indian folk, traditional, Brazilian, jazz and other world music genres. Falgun Dave presents popular singer Kishore Kumar’s song through “Yadein.” Jagadambika Mathur will present Ghazals (romantic songs) reflecting the influence of Islam in Indian music.
The music festival will feature a closing performance called “Mera Bharath Mahan,” with multiple languages to showcase the depth, variety and entertaining qualities of Indian music.
Soorya Dance Company will present unique dance performances based on 15th-century poems, led by famous Indian dancers Samanvita, Sadhana, Mounica and others.
The festival will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20; 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21; and 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Gandhi Center, 727 Weidman Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011. Admission is free. Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase. For more information, visit sooryaperformingarts.org. The event is partially sponsored by the Missouri Arts Council.
