Joint venture

Indian classical music8217;s history has had a tradition of unforgettable jugalbandis, with the likes of Ravi Shankar with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Bhimsen Joshi with Dr Balamuralikrishna. This concert will be especially interesting to music lovers as it is the coming together of a singer trained in the Hindustani classical tradition Rashid Khan and another in a Carnatic school Mahadevan.So how did the two artists from such diverse musical styles decide to join hands?

Mahadevan, who has been actively involved with the Hindi cinema music scene 8212;with recent chart toppers like the Rock On soundtrack 8212; says: 8220;It is our mutual appreciation and admiration for each other8217;s work

that brings us together to begin with. The idea was to share a space and explore what will happen. It is also an attempt to expand our own horizons and styles.8221;

Khan, whohas emerged as one of the most promising names in the younger generation of Hindustani singers, comes from the Sahaswan Gharana. He has had a long association with the Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata, which he quit in 1999 to found his own academy. Today, he is something of legend in classical music circles, poised to rise to the stature of greats like Bhimsen Joshi and Kumar Gandharva.

The artists are quick to clarify the purist nature of the concert. 8220;It will not be a fusion concert. It will be a classical bandish8221; says Mahadevan. The two musicians are confident about a good audience. The notion that there are no takers amongst the youth for classical music may also be changing as more and more independent musicians in the country display strong strains of classical influence. And Khan is happy to join hands with Mahadevan to promote the art. 8220;The kala is the most important thing. Such concerts are an effort in the right direction because the new generation will get to listen to music they normally might not listen to.8221;