Loose Leaf Notes

– The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on September 3, 2015.

There were no performance programs at the Sangita Shakti Ensemble concert hosted by Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival (VBRMF) at the Blue Ridge Center for Chinese Medicine (BRCCM) Saturday August 29th.

“I didn’t want you to be distracted, looking to see where you are.
You are where you are,” said Jagadisha to the crowd of about 50 attendees before beginning the concert, which featured his voice and stringed instrumentation on the tanpura, Harish Kalustian on tabla drum and Sarah McCarthy and Nancy Fox on tanpuras.

Jagadisha read some of the words to the songs and explained that the music the group performs is not written down, but passed down from teacher to student.  It is unlike other Indian music and considered classical because of the form, which brings rhythm cycles and melodies together with the intent to create union.  “It is an illusion that we are separate,” he said, describing the shared experience as being like taking a boat ride together.

He explained that the drone of the tanpura creates a background current of sound.  “Go with the current.  Be a witness to your own experience,” he said, suggesting that attendees lie down or get up and dance if they felt inclined to.

The three compositions that were played provided about an hour of music that was later described by some attendees as “transcendent”
and “meditative.” At the close of the concert there was a long silent pause before Jagadisha spoke.  “Is everyone here?” he asked.  A group laugh erupted as he added, “Only one.”

Post Note: Randall Wells of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival said another VBRMF event will take place on the afternoon of October 11th at the Zion Lutheran Church and will feature classical music performances by youth.

– More about Jagadisha and his music HERE.  / Our World Tuesday