A Malhar touch to Raag Rang

With Raags Miyan Ki Malhar and Desh,Saskia enthralled the audience with her cello,which she has modified to suit the requirements of Indian music,based on a comparative study of Indian string instruments and western baroque instruments. Her Indian cello is smaller in size than its western counterpart and has one additional playing string and ten sympathetic strings to give it a new dimension. Her unique playing style enables her to bring out the subtleties and the embellishments characteristic of north Indian classical music. She has invented techniques that allow her to nurture its

inherent closeness to the human voice and explore all the cello’s possibilities.

Saskia was accompanied by Durjoy Bhowmick on the tabla and Ramesh Sharma on the tanpura. The trio captivated the senses of the audience and left them asking for more.

“The love and affection I get from the audience here in India is very encouraging. I feel proud to see young children sitting and enjoying my performance. Their interest is testimony to the fact that the future of the country loves classical music,” said Saskia.

Reviving and promoting Indian classical music with the monthly evening of Raag Rang,Anshuman Pandey said,“Raag Rang has reached its ninth stage today and we feel honoured to take our generations closer to the legendary heritage of Indian classical music. The entire world bows down before India’s music,culture and art,and we Indians should not lag behind.”