History in tune

The best songs never die,they become sweeter over the centuries,points out Boike Prissadova as her group,Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria,bursts into a 10th century track.

This Bulgarian group draws its repertoire from songs of the past

The best songs never die,they become sweeter over the centuries,points out Boike Prissadova as her group,Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria,bursts into a 10th century track. The acapella group is visiting Delhi for the International Festival of the Sacred Arts,and brings a repertoire drawn from the countrys chequered history especially the 500 years under the Ottoman Turks which inspired many tales of love and heroism.

As group manager Kiril Zdravkov adds,Theres nothing modern. Our youngest songs are from the 18th century. The Cosmic Voices specializes in choral and folklore styles and the fact that it is an all-woman group follows from the Bulgarian tradition that men generally dont sing folklore. Set up by Emil Minev around 15 years ago,the group has shot to fame in Europe and abroad with their typical Balkan sounds their last tour was to China three months ago and their past concert trips range from the NATO bases in Sarajevo,Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN mission in Vienna.

Almost all the 18 singers are winners of the Bulgarian National Folklore Festival, says Zdravkov before pointing out the prima donnas of Bulgarian radio and television the soprano Prissadova,who specializes in the melodramatic and sorrowful sounds of the mountains,and Pavena Gordieva who sings the jovial tracks from west Bulgaria. Among them,only Prissadova has visited India before. I was part of the National Musical Ensemble of Bulgaria that toured the country in 1982, she says.

Though the group aims to make the listener reach a transcendental state with their prayer songsas they did with haunting melodies at the Cathedral Church of Redemption last week it is their folklore that can evoke deep emotions. Among the songs selected for the Delhi trip is a 300-year- old one about young Ottoman rebels who try to woo a girl,another song is a mothers voice asking a girl to never marry a rebel because she would then have to dress in the black garb of a widow forever. Even in Bulgaria,the language could pose a problem but doesnt. These songs are in orthodox Slovanic language,a mix of Bulgarian and Russian,that is not spoken any more but nobody fails to grasp the emotions expressed, he says.

The Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria will perform today at Siri Fort
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Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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