Classic fusion

Performing here after a long time,the renditions will have Natyasangeet which he says is very precious to him. “I was brought up with Natyasangeet which has been over and again overlooked. The American rap that is at times hopeless is blatantly appreciated and the world is being bombarded with that music. While the audience accepts that irrespective of the knowledge,people think that concepts like our natyasangeet cannot cross the borders of Maharashtra,which is not true,” says the musician whose city performance will also include compositions of Pt Kumar Gandharva,Pt Jitendra Abhisheki,bhajans and so on.

Disapproving of the current teaching methods Gurtu recollects his mother and Guru Shobha Gurtu,adding,“I have seen great musicians performing at my house from a very young age. It was never a clash of gharanas but giving out the knowledge that they possessed. I have grown to abide by that.”

Trilok hit the live performance circuit in 2000 and 2001 with his group of 3 Indians and 2 Africans while releases like Remembrance and The Crazy Saints have been a major milestone. His latest album Massical released this month “Fusion is often misconstrued. The one that L Shankar and McLaughlin brought out through Shakti with a concord of different styles,is fusion. Shastriya Sangeet is our root,that is influenced from the shastras instead of the generic term classical. Every country has its own classical music. Music is never serious,it is attached to spirituality and thus ought to have a character and be humorous and my album Massical is to get the young people attracted to this very spirituality,” he adds.

(Trilok Gurtu will be performing tomorrow in Vasantotsav at New English School,6 pm onwards)