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Proudly supported by the Waiheke Musical Museum - Basant Madhur Ensemble featuring Hanna Wiskari & Jon Sanders: A concert of Indian classical music infused with Nordic and Irish folk.
Indian classical music has it's roots in the Vedic age, around 6000 years ago. The Vedas are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, containing hymns, poems and chants. The Samaveda (Sanskrit: सामवेद), from sāman song and veda knowledge) is one of these sacred scriptures and is the basis of Indian classical music as we know it today.
Vedic music is some of the most intricate and complicated in the world, with particular rhythms, scales and vibrations that connect with certain moods and times of day. Many compositions are intended as odes to the forces of nature, from wandering clouds to monsoon rains, to the sun, moon and stars. The music was considered to be not just a performance but a connection to God.
Nowadays this highly sophisticated and refined musical style, popularised in the west by the great Ravi Shankar, is primarily presented as a concert performance art form encompassing a variety of styles from very traditional to more contemporary, while still retaining its close connection to the vocal style it originated from.
Basant Madhur Ensemble are Basant Madhur (tabla), Akhil Madhur (tabla), and Sargam Madhur (Sitar). These musicians have all been trained in the traditional form of this music and have been playing and performing both individually and together for many years.
Purnima Garg is a trained Kathak dancer born in the capital city of India and introduced to Indian classical dancing by her mother and father. Purnima was trained in ‘Jaipur Gharaana’ style from her Guru Nandini Singh and Guru Malti Shyam and is now a performer, choreographer and teacher of Kathak dance.
Hanna Wiskari is a Swedish saxophonist with roots in Nordic folk music. Her global influences are evident in her playful and masterful improvisations, which convey a depth of talent matched by a lightness of spirit. Hanna manages Ethno NZ, an artistic residency of traditional/ folk/world music for young people in Aotearoa, and other projects with a kaupapa of fostering intercultural connectivity and understanding through the arts.
Jon Sanders is recognised as a virtuoso bouzouki player, tenor ukulele player, drop D and DADGAD guitarist and an internationally acclaimed composer, with compositions drawing on elements of jazz, gypsy, funk, arabic, latino and Celtic styles. His music has been described by the Irish Times as quantum-leaping, deeply meditative, and impishly playful.
Together this group of highly acclaimed artists present a unique musical experience for audiences in New Zealand, opening a window to the intriguing, atmospheric music that emerges from a fusion between these unique traditions. Audiences are invited on a consciousness-expanding journey beyond geographical confines.
Authentic Indian chai & refreshments available. Please bring cash!
