World on a String

Akhu Chingangbam,frontman of Manipur-based folk rock band Imphal Talkies,who will play on the first day of the festival said,Ive heard some of these bands and Im really looking forward to sharing the stage with them.

November 22, 2013 05:24 AM IST

2 min read

Its not everyday that one gets to hear celebrated western classical string instruments like cello and violin in the same space as the ancient ravanhatta (a bowed fiddle carved out of a coconut shell). But the second edition of Strings of the World a two-day festival tailored by Delhi-based music organisations Friends of Music (FOM) and Krintan will treat your auditory senses to this unique fusion through an impressive line-up of international and home-grown artistes.

We wanted to make sure that we had a range of musicians this time, says FOMs founder Mohit Satyanand. The process of deciding which musicians and bands to feature was a long one and comprised YouTube searches. Talking to established musicians helped us narrow the list, says Satyanand

This story requires a subscription

Select a plan and use IE10 code to get 10% extra off

POPULAR

EXPRESS EDGE

Daily ePaper access

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Starts at ₹133/month

Best for UPSC aspirants

This story requires a subscription

Please Select A Plan

POPULAR

EXPRESS EDGE

Daily ePaper access

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Premium stories & archives

UPSC Section + UPSC Essentials Magazine

Starts at ₹133/month

Best for UPSC aspirants

As for the audience,the festival will be an opportunity to listen to bands such as five- time Grammy-nominated Trondheim Soloists from Norway,the Heiko Lenneke Quintet fraom Holland and Mongolia-born violinist Xiang Yu. Others participating at the concert include Delhi-based fusion band Mrigya and its lead violinist Sharat Chandra Srivastava (also the Festival Director). Akhu Chingangbam,frontman of Manipur-based folk rock band Imphal Talkies,who will play on the first day of the festival said,Ive heard some of these bands and Im really looking forward to sharing the stage with them. Its going to be a great experience. Chingangbam set at the festival will include favourites such as Lullaby and Qutub Minar. Norwegian blues guitarist Knut Reiersrud,music biggies Igor Bezget from Slovenia and Donald Shaw from Scotland are also part of the event.

After Strings of the World,the concert organisers will be organising Concerts of Freedom this winter. These concerts,elaborates Satyanand,will celebrate and explore the relationship between music and struggle. While you wait for the freedom concerts,stay tuned to the festival of stringed instruments.

The festival will take place on November 22 and 23 at BlueFROG ,The Kila,Mehrauli; 6pm onwards.

Nikita Puri