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By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, June 25: The multi-talented four-piece Indian percussion band, Chatusram, sees sustaining classical and traditional Indian music as going hand-in-hand with the diversity of the world’s culture.
The group’s spokesperson Dr Surojato Roy who also plays the tabla in the group, said Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 is unique, and performing here last night before a packed audience was an honour for the group.
He said they wanted to change the perception that Indian classical music does not belong on stage to entertain music goers and festivalgoers, and prove these naysayers wrong.
“We have played on stage at different festivals and our dynamic classical music brings people to their feet. We proved that again in the RWMF2023 in front of an audience of thousands,” he told reporters at a press conference held at Casuarina Hall, Damai Beach Resort Hotel, earlier today.
Roy described Chatusram’s music as organic and script-less, with the band playing spontaneously according to the environment and how the audience reacts to the rhythm of their beats.
“That is how we communicate our kind of music, and that is why our rhythm can bring the festivalgoers to their feet to enjoy our music,” he added.
Roy explained that their music is very abstract, and the sounds and music are dynamic as when the group members are playing, they are also reacting to each another.
“That was how we learned it from our guru, and our brains develope the tune and rhythm while playing the instrument.
“We now teach our talented students the same way, and we hope this can sustain classical and traditional Indian music.”
Roy is optimistic that Indian classical music is sustainable and can enrich the diversity of culture through music.
“We can bring our type of music to every corner of the world, and (it was) no exception at the RWMR2023.”
He said the Indian government has been very supportive of Indian classical music and has national scholarship schemes for talented musicians to learn in higher education institutions.
“So we hope that Indian classical will go on living and we can continue to play on international stages. We hope to come back RWMF and to the kind hospitality of Sarawak,” he said.
The other Chatusram members, Juvasis Sarkar, Nishaant Singh and Supratik Chatterjee, were also at the press conference. — DayakDaily
