The Desert Comes Alive Once Again... Pushkar Camel Fair 2011

Nothing can be more apt than the phrase “unity in diversity”, when one describes or pictures the Indian subcontinent. Adding its own streak of colour to the existing flamboyant and multi hued tapestry of Indian culture is the festival and one of the highly rated travel experience called Pushkar Camel Fair.

Held each November at the time of the full moon in the Indian month of Kartik, Pushkar Camel Fair is a grand spectacular event, attracting 300,000 people and up to 50,000 camels.

One of the largest camel fair in the world, the Pushkar Camel Fair witnesses the blending of tradition and spirituality. During this four day event, one gets to witness livestock trading, religious “pujas”, music, dance, various sports and competitions that are not just funny but unusually unique, shops selling local arts and crafts. It turns into an enchanting carnival that at times makes one feel like a moment from some fairy tale book.

The festival comes to an end on the day of Kartik Purnima. On this day, ritual bathing on the ghats of Pushkar Lake begins at dawn. The water of the Lake is believed to possess medicinal powers and also wash away the sins of a lifetime. After the holy dip, the devotees visit the Brahma temple, which is one of the oldest and most prominent Brahma temples in the country.

The first five days of the festival in Rajasthan are for selling and purchase of the cattle. Over the years, this traditional affair has been revamped by the Rajasthan Tourism department to give it some additional glow and recognition. This event is a unique colourful display of another aspect of rural life in India, performance arts, handicrafts and an extravagant number of camels!

The golden sands of Rajasthan will come alive again this November as millions will gather to witness this extravagant event. The multi hued attires of the ladies, the pristine white attire of the men, all adorned with rich and exotic ornaments mixed with the attires of the visitors present a unique scene to every visitor’s eyes. The beautiful merger of ethnicity and modernity sprinkled with the divine sound of holy chants and conches truly prove to be a never seen experience for one and all.

So come November, treat yourself to this experience of a lifetime and soak in this enchanting spectacle called Pushkar Camel Fair. It is an unparalleled and unforgettable experience, capturing the vibrancy of Rajasthan and its people in all its grandeur.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

On A Spiritual And Emotional Journey - India.Arie And Her Music

It isn’t always that one comes across a musician who manages to brilliantly take the listener on an introspective journey. India.Arie is a woman who simply radiates with a light... a light that emanates from her soul and reaches out to one through her music. A multi talented woman, who sings, writes, plays, arranges and produces music. India’s richly textured voice and the ability to commune directly with her listeners through impressive, soul stirring lyrics is overwhelming and truly inspiring.

Born in Denver, Colorado on October 3 1975, India Arie Simpson is a Grammy Award-winning American soul, R&B, and neo soul musician, songwriter, and producer. She absorbed musical skills early in life as she was encouraged by both parents. Her mother Joyce is a former singer (she was signed to Motown as a teenager and opened for Stevie Wonder and Al Green). Her father is former ABA and NBA basketball player Ralph Simpson.

After her parents divorced, Simpson's mother moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia when she was thirteen. Simpson had taken up a succession of musical instruments throughout her schooling in Denver, but her interest in the guitar while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design, in Savannah, led to a personal revelation about song writing and performing.

"When I started tapping into my own sensitivity, I started to understand people better. It was a direct result of writing songs", she said at the press release of her debut album, Acoustic Soul.

Her first single “Video” and her multi–platinum debut album Acoustic Soul were released in 2001. It was followed by the release of the platinum selling Voyage to India in 2002, an album acclaimed worldwide by critics. The New York Times called it “music that only further enhances her reputation as an artist of substance; centering on her acoustic guitar and confident but restrained vocals, it recalls such soul masters as Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack.” In 2006 she released her No. 1 charting album Testimony: Vol.1, Love & Relationship. Next was the highly anticipated Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, which was released in 2009. Besides these she has also collaborated with many musicians and her latest collaboration is with Israeli musician Idan Raichel – a driving force in contemporary world music. Together they created Open Door –a collection of soul stirring, poignant songs, the authentic East-meets-West experience.

Songs of love, of empowerment and emancipation, of inner emotions... there is a candid expression of feelings and emotions in her songs. India.Arie has the charismatic ability to absorb one and simply motivate to assert one’s true self and to love oneself and to love life.

“I feel my music is even more in accordance with where people are. Everybody’s looking for ways to feel better –– the world is so unpredictable, people are looking inside themselves to ask what’s meaningful in life. My music has always addressed this, and now it’s so much in vibrational accordance with what people are thinking.” -India.Arie

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Kabul Dreams - Indie Rock Band of Afghanistan

Music knows no boundaries... Music knows no limits... Music knows no restraints.

Music connects the souls regardless of where it is from. It is the one thing that never fails to reach out to people in every nook and corner and always presents itself as the perfect way to express one’s thoughts, emotions and feelings. It becomes the inspiration for one to go beyond the perspectives and ideologies that tend to thaw one’s soul and one’s passion.

It cannot be truer in the context of any nation more than Afghanistan... a nation that had been deprived of music by the Taliban regime and the only sound around was that of gunfire and bombs for so many years. For here, in spite of the new interim government stepping in and the doors of the world opening up, people still remain in fear and find it hard to open up easily to the arts.

But the world was shown a whole new side of Afghanistan’s music scene when three youths got together to form 'Kabul Dreams', Afghanistan’s first Indie Rock band. Relatively new and veiled from the commercial showbiz of mainstream music, this is a band that is fresh, new, and absolutely in sync with their genre, and for a lack of a better word, simply awesome! The three members of Kabul Dreams, Sulaymon Qardash (vocalist and guitarist), Siddique Ahmed (bassist) and Mujtaba Habibi (drummer), spent the war years outside of Afghanistan, growing up in Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Iran respectively. They met in Kabul at the end of 2008 and formed the band.

Since they hail from different regions of Afghanistan and speak different languages, they naturally chose to sing in English. All three of them had played musical instruments in their childhood and have had been strongly influenced by their early encounters with rock music. Their music seems to reverberate with the nostalgic tunes of many rock and roll bands. But the most striking and the most charming aspect about their music is the fact that it is far away from the political turmoil of their native land.

Leaving the bad memories of the war and the horrific past, these guys are decidedly apolitical and they sing with a passion and love for music. They sing songs of many a familiar themes but the theme of dream is a powerful subject that shines brilliantly in their lyrics. The power of imagination and how it enables one to escape is a poignant theme that hits the listener. At such a young age, these guys have a level of maturity in their music that is astounding.

In the process of bringing out their debut album, Kabul Dreams is slowly building up a name of its own as a promising band. With a string of hits songs like “Crack in the Radio”, “This Night”, ”Sadae Man”, ”Can You Fly” etc these young guys are gathering their own group of dedicated fans. No wonder considering the arrival of a band that has a lot that needs to be discovered and revealed to the world.

Find more of Kabul Dreams on YouTube and MySpace.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Hindi Zahra - Music for the Soul...

"I dream the arrangements and vocals; the melodies tend to come of their own volition without any great effort on my part. I work instinctively, without putting anything down in writing." - Hindi Zahra

Being an avid music listener I developed a penchant for exploring what is popularly known as world music. It was a refreshing new break to step away from the usual choice of music and indulge in something completely new. It has been a fascinating journey so far; especially because of the chance encounters I have had with so many brilliant musicians from all around the globe. The most recent and undoubtedly one of my favourite discoveries of late is the music of Hindi Zahra.

Franco-Moroccan composer, musician and singer Hindi Zahra was born in 1979 in Khouribga, Morocco to a Moroccan mother and a French father. Her songs are mostly in English but some lyrics are in her native Berber language. 

Though one could flexibly categorize her under “World Music,” Zahra fuses musical cultures freely to create her own sounds, a harmonious and delicate interweaving of her own cultural influences with blues, jazz, gypsy and folk. Her songs speak of stories, of lived experiences, of love and all this is done in a very simplistic yet classy way.

She left school at age 15 and moved to Paris to live with her father, a former army member. At age 18 she wrote her first lyrics and melodies. Hindi Zahra is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and has been influenced by the African music, Egyptian music, traditional Berber music and also the local rock’n’roll of her musician uncles. Other early influences were blues and the folk sounds, and the female voices of the '30s and '40s and the 50’s (Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald being some of them).

By 2005 she had written about 50 songs of which “Beautiful Tango”,” Oursoul” (a song that sensitively explores the theme of forced marriage–a cultural, not Islamic, tradition still practiced in the region), “Try”, and “Stand Up” were first released on the EP Hindi Zahra in 2009 and eleven songs were recorded in her first album which was released in January 2010 at the Jazz label Blue Note Records. In November 2010 Hindi Zahra won the “Prix Constantin” award for Best Album. In February 2011 she won the “Victoires de la Musique” award for the best World music album.

Hidden away from the limelight of mainstream media, Hindi Zahra has developed a music that is authentic, soulful, sensual, and intense. Rendered in her soothing and mesmerising voice it almost seems to make one feel as if one were lost somewhere or floating with the wind.

This is music for the soul and an artist not worth missing out on. 

Visit Hindi Zahra's official website and YouTube channel for more information and to relish some of her amazing music.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

The Eagles - Yesterday, Today ...and Forever

There is probably not one single music listener out there who hasn’t, either by choice or accidently, come across the band “The Eagles” atleast once in their life. Songs like “Hotel California”, “Tequila Sunrise”, “Learn To Be Still” , “Desperado”, “Witchy Women” and many more have often come floating in through our jukeboxes, radios and, at times, our mouths too! This was a band that has shown, time and again, how ingeniously they have created an exclusive slot of their own in the canon of rock and roll history.

The reigning maestros of country rock in the 70’s, The Eagles are an American country rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971, comprising of Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner as the original members. Later members included Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit. In 1980 The Eagles broke up, but they reunited in 1994 for the new album “Hell Freezes Over”. They have toured extensively and in 2007 they released their first full studio album in 28 years, “Long Road out of Eden”. One of the true deserving bands to have been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band has a tail of accolades attached to its name.

In the midst of the 70s scene when music seemed to be at one of its best stages of flowering, The Eagles entered with their fresh country rock/pop music in its own resolute and formal yet personal style. It was a blend of mellow, groovy sound polished with the touch of skilled musicians, the craft of versatile song writing and the heartfelt voice of the vocalist. 

Each album presented listeners with songs that were incredibly versatile and filled with stories of their own. Their live performances went on to become beautiful displays of precision and talent, and only enhanced one’s affinity for them. Indeed, The Eagles became a musical experience that stayed on to touch the lives of millions of music lover.

One could be on dualistic grounds regarding the band, its music and its appeal, as it has always been with regard to rock and roll. But it’s beyond doubt that, like many of the classic bands, The Eagles has a tendency to transport one to the days of yore. There is a charm to their music which never fails to touch some corner of one’s heart and soul. With the passage of time The Eagles has somehow been pushed back, but its not lost with time.

As I sit back and wait for the playlist to begin, I can only sigh with satisfaction and smile. This is music that never fails and indeed I can just say that I wish to simply cherish my experience with them for, The Eagles is a wonderful band and I love them... 

-by Samriddhi Tanti

With Love from us to you; Happy Birthday Freddie Mercury!

'I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend'.-Freddie Mercury

Bands come and go, musicians come and go...but the way some of them leave an impact behind, is a phenomenon that every music lover fails to evade. One such band and musician that springs to everyone’s mind, especially on this particular day, is “Queen” and its front man Freddie Mercury. Celebrating the 65th birthday of a diva whose profound musical ingenuity continues to influence and mesmerise listeners till date, September 5th returns to firmly reflect the eternal presence of Freddie Mercury-the man who carved a niche for himself as a legend and as one of the greatest figures in rock and roll history. 

It’s about to be almost two decades of the physical absence of Freddie, but fans young and old alike, fans too young to remember or too late to witness him alive and fans fortunate to see his flamboyant persona, continue to fondly remember him on this special day.

"When I'm performing I'm an extrovert, yet inside I'm a completely different man."—Freddie Mercury. Indeed, Freddie’s life was nothing less than a tempestuous drama. As one leafs through the archival records of his life, the numerous fan websites and articles by close ones of his, the poignancy of his life always strikes. A brilliant musical genius, a dynamic influence for many a more great rock and roll bands, an influence on the lives of many a million fans, Freddie was an immensely admirable man on the personal side too. 

Freddie Mercury was a man of charisma whom followers loved for the sheer brilliance, joy and pleasure he brought in with his music. As the music drifts on in my jukebox, I, like many of his fans today, sit back and feel the presence of the man who along with the band, tight and powerful behind him, made music that had a magic of its own. There is simply no denial that Queen and Freddie Mercury are legends that will live forever. And as we celebrate his birthday we celebrate the essence of a man who lived life to every minute and who left an operatic impression on all his fans. Happy Birthday Freddie... 

"My soul has painted like the wings of butterflies, Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends..." - Freddie Mercury 

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Vishal and Vedant's “Feathers of Jatinga”

Vedant Kaushik & Vishal J Singh

Unknown to a lot of the fans in the doom metal/atmospheric music scenario, in July 2010, a duo from the India's north-eastern state of Assam got together to create their musical alchemy “Feathers of Jatinga”. In its initial phase of unveiling their maiden project, the band has an incredible flavour, almost at par with international bands. The music combined with the lyrics of songs that deal with the human instinct, emotions and feelings blend in, to create an impressive new entry to the music scene. Their idea was to create an ambience with the sound giving an atmospheric feel of the north eastern winter.

The name, “Feathers of Jatinga”, is derived from “Jatinga”, a small tourist spot in North Cachar hills of Assam renowned for the mass suicide of migratory birds, in between October to January, who come out at night and straightaway hit the various lights lit in the village. The reason is still unknown and many researchers or scientists have failed to answer the same...

What seems like an introduction to another band in its glory days of releasing their debut album is only a sight into a band that boasts of being the combination of two absolutely astounding musicians, who have remarkably managed to hold their own alongside performing with each other and at times with guest musicians like Mark Hawkins.

On vocals, lyrics and vocal melodies there is Vedant Kaushik - former vocalist of “3rd sovereign” and currently of “Shades of Retribution”, both bands having been highly praised in the Indian Metal Scene. Vishal J. Singh, being a musician of international scale plays guitars as main instrument and the rest as well in Amogh Symphony, and synth/programming/production in "Acrophase". In Acrophase, Luke Jaeger(Seattle, USA) plays guitar. Vishal handles the guitars, keyboard, piano, bass, and drum programming for “Feather of Jatinga". Unlike Vishal’s other projects, “Feathers of Jatinga” is melancholic, atmospheric doom metal mesmerizingly nostalgic of bands like “Katatonia”. Vishal handles all the instruments and programming, while Vedant provides haunting clean vocals that are a far cry from his work in “3rd Sovereign”.

As of now, the band is in the process of releasing their debut album. Also there are discussions for induction of session’s musicians for the live circuit which, the guys say “only time will tell...” Hailed as learned and well versed musicians in their own careers, this easygoing duo have united with their skills tighter than ever to brandish upon the fans their excellence and influence. This one is a band that must be checked out by all the lovers of atmospheric music and doom metal.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

“The Greatest Jukebox on Earth”

‘The Greatest Jukebox on Earth’ is an online group on the social networking site Facebook, where members post videos as a way of sharing and suggesting albums, songs and artists to the ever growing number of fellow members. 

With a current count of some 2500+ members which keeps steadily growing with every passing day, this group is one that enhances a person’s musical taste, takes one a whirlwind musical journey and is definitely worth being a part of.

It is amazing how music gets passed from one person to another. I hear of something, I pass it on to a friend, who again passes it to another and on and on. And this is exactly how this group functions... like a musical chain it keeps growing with fresh contributions by its huge base of members. 

It’s utterly awe inspiring to see how fast one can get access to a whole range of diverse music through this group. And therein lays the charm of this whole new concept of sharing music.

The scope to broaden one’s musical horizon is immensely facilitated by this group as one gets to hear an assorted range of tracks – from vintage classics to new age rock to indie music to lounge to classic Bollywood .

“The greatest jukebox”....the name in itself speaks volumes. It is indeed like a massive jukebox where music seems to unfold and reveal itself in all its glory. For any music lover, the creation of this group has been a blessing. Like stepping into a vintage music shop where all sorts of music await to be explored and relished, “the greatest jukebox on earth” makes rich and classy music easily available for one and all. 

It’s free, it’s vast and it’s a pure bliss to be able to hear so many new genres, so many unknown bands and songs. You want to join and be a part, just ask for it and someone or the other will bring you in. It’s like a crazy musical ride where the fun just doesn’t seem to stop...!

-by Samriddhi Tanti

...Shall we dance...?

"Think of the magic of the foot, comparatively small, upon which your whole weight rests. It's a miracle and the dance is a celebration of that miracle."

— Martha Graham

Dance... the very word seems to have a youthful vibrancy to it. Be it any form of dance, there is something about this whole act that instantly uplifts the soul, obliterates all traces of sadness, pain and anger. Dance can be helpful and therapeutic; dance can be a release for the soul; dance can be one’s passion and one’s love; dance can be a lot more than what appears to the eye. It is like a secret language of the soul that whispers in soothing notes to one’s ears and transports the soul far away from this world. There is a charm, vitality, poignancy and ardour, all combined with the wonderful feeling of fun to this beautiful form of art known as dance. No matter whether one is young or old, male or female; when it comes to dance, there is no barrier, there is no restraint, and there is no reason.

Recently I happened to come across this wonderful video called “A million ways” by Ok Go. Probably it was a choreographed act, but nonetheless, the dance in itself seemed like an effortless act. And if one chose to, one could easily dance along without much of an effort. What struck me about it was the way the guys were doing this wonderful dance without a care in the world. It was stylish and charming in a wonderfully simple way. There are various dance videos to be found on YouTube that range from funny to weird to simply outrageous. Watching some of these videos can be an enriching experience in itself as not only does one have a great time laughing while watching some of them but also one can learn to appreciate dance as an art form. It might seem like an intended pun to a few of you, but on a serious note, I sincerely feel that dance is something that is personal and that is abstract.

As Martha Graham said – “Dance is the hidden language of the soul”, so why should one not dance the way one’s heart feels like? Why should one not dance without any sort of consciousness? Why should one not dance like a free and wild child? It’s absolutely brilliant to be able to dance just for the sheer joy of it and to be able to enjoy it at the same time.

No doubt, there is a lot to the whole act of dancing, whether in terms of technicalities or in terms of presentation or in terms of understanding physical cues of one’s partner. I am in no way trying to undermine the benefits of sequenced dancing or trained dancing. But what I am trying to stress upon here, is the simplicity and pleasure of dancing, sans any routine. How often do we find people actually de-stressing by doing an impromptu dance? Why is it that a lot of us shy away from dancing even though our heart craves to simply twirl to the notes of a song? For once, spare yourself from the habit of needing a reason to do something. Stop for a moment, think not about perfection, think not about appreciation, think not about anything but the fact that you are dancing for yourself, for your soul. 

One does not need a reason to dance, one dances because one feels like dancing. Free yourself from all thoughts and dance because you want to; dance because it is a celebration of the joy of being alive and to be alive in itself is a grand thing. So think no more my friends, but simply put on your dancing shoes and leave the thoughts for another day. Feel life for now and let dance be your link to the divine.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Remembering Amy Winehouse

“We only said goodbye with words...I died a hundred times”

The world of music, specially pop and rock, is rife with its own share of tragedies which has metamorphosed into a culture of myths, scandals, infamous narratives, all tinged with a sense of bitterness and remorse from the fans. The death of an artist seems to be like the final act of some melodramatic play, the construction of yet another grand narrative with its own share of disjointed, bizarre views and final thoughts of fans, critics, observers, fellow musicians.

The death of Amy Jade Winehouse on July 23 was like history repeating itself. It set the music world and social media on fire, and within seconds the news was all over the world. It was treated with a mixed response of grief from her fans, sneer and sarcasm from some, and plain indifference from others. But what it certainly established was the fact that another highly talented yet painfully troubled artist became a victim of her own demons. And the saddest thing about Amy’s death was the way her talent and musical achievements got overshadowed by her turbulent personal life.

This Grammy winning British singer songwriter was popular for her multifarious mix of RnB, Soul and Jazz, her distinctive style, her powerful contralto vocals and with the passage of time, her controversial battle with drugs, alcohol and various health problems. She was a big influence in the rise and popularity of pop and soul music and the revival of British female singers. Soulful, self deprecating, brutally honest and at times hopeful-Amy’s songs are powerful and sung from the heart. They are refreshing and filled with a wonderful combination of contemporary and the classic.

Her life was short and she left us with only two albums – “Frank” (2003), her debut album and “Back to Black” (2007). Apart from this, she collaborated with many other artists on various singles, performed in live shows and had won numerous accolades and awards. Her musical career might indeed have been brief, but it was a reflection of pure talent, musical knowledge and a captivating personality. As she herself said in The Post on the eve of the U.S. release of “Back to Black” in 2007--“I think the record speaks louder than any of my stupid actions or things that I say.”

Hounded by the media who never missed an opportunity to publicize the many struggles and ugly truths that she had to constantly battle with in her 27 years of existence, Amy Winehouse was a wounded and bruised individual who always struggled and thrived. She was a gifted musician whose music inspired millions across the world and whose life reflected the lives of many lost souls.

To continue making her past a public extravaganza and have differing opinions regarding her death is utterly demeaning and unwanted. One can always romanticize or stigmatize a person but the fact remains that the person is no more. Amy Winehouse’s life was troubled, complicated and even messy, but she was a beautiful and immensely talented woman who charmed many of us with her timeless classics, who should be remembered for her music rather than her tumultuous life, and who will continue to live in the hearts of her fans.

R.I.P Amy Winehouse... you will be missed forever.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

“Nagaland - Journey through the choir of clouds” – a short documentary

Nagaland, a state in the remote north eastern part of India, continues to remain an alluring mystery to all those who ever saw, heard or even remotely experienced a whiff of it. In spite of the growing rate of tourists and travellers flocking to this region, there are certain aspects of the people and life here that continue to be shrouded in an age old enigma. The grandeur of this enchanting land mixed with its breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant culture and enthralling history is precisely what Jim Ankan Deka brilliantly showcases in his documentary “Nagaland-Journey through the choir of clouds”.

“Nagaland - A place where swirling clouds gently kiss the mighty hills, where nature preserves in its bosom the primeval traditions of the land, where picturesque sights await at every blink, where ethnic notes conflate with temporary melodies....” As these words make their way to the heart of the viewer, an overwhelming sense of wonder and reverence permeates the soul, and one cannot help but agree that an enlightening and profound impression is what comes across through the documentary, as it highlights the tribal life, culture, myths and folklore of Nagaland. Imbued with the pristine sounds and moods of nature; beliefs, customs and social behaviour of the Naga people, “Nagaland-journey through the choir of clouds”, with its freshness and simplicity has a fragrance of the primeval and ethnic combined with the contemporary about it. A deep sense of sensitivity can be deciphered in the way it depicts the life and history of Nagaland and its people, the hospitality and warmth of the people that comes so naturally to them, the age old myths and folklore passed on from generation to generation, and an amalgamation of the past and the present harmoniously co existing.

A sense of travelling back in time engulfs one, as the documentary takes us on a journey through the districts of Nagaland encompassing the serene life of the people and filling one with a sense of detachment from the chaos and humdrum of modern civilization. The documentary comes across as a landmark in itself as it explores an all embracing picture of a region, its people and their story. The director manages to have several scenes that give a glimpse into the core of Naga society with its myriad tribes and the remnants of the early animist culture and ancient traditions existing parallel to the contemporary life of the new generation. The entire team, including the script writer duo Parmita Borah and Schuyler Ellers (also the narrator) and the Eastern Fare Production team, come together to create a brilliant film that not only presents a unique view of the state of Nagaland, but also leaves a burning desire within the viewer to have a taste of this intoxicating land.

The film is produced by Eastern Fare Music Foundation and Jim Ankan. The video is edited in ‘Sargam Audiocraft’ by SK Biswa and the sound is mixed at ‘Studio Eastern Fare’ and ‘Sargam Audiocraft’ by Pinku and Jim. The internet version of the short documentary is released on 22nd July, 2011, and can be viewed on different portals including Dailymotion and North-East India page on Facebook.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Jazzmandu 2011 (Kathmandu Jazz Festival)

The soul of a great trip lies in the culture, cuisine, landscape and people of a country. Add to this a unique experience of a musical amalgamation of international and local musicians, and you end up getting a trip that is bound to leave a permanent and exquisite mark of its own. Come October 2011, and the scenic land of Nepal, tucked away in the Himalayan foothills, is all set to come alive to the soulful sound of jazz and the melodic sound of Nepal’s traditional music.

Celebrating its 9th anniversary, Jazzmandu or the Kathmandu Jazz Festival is an international music event annually held in the fascinating land of Nepal. It kick-started in 2002 and is organized by Upstairs Ideas Pvt. Ltd. The concept was built and developed upon by Chhedup Bomzan of The Jazz Upstairs Bar, and Navin Chettri, drummer and vocalist of “Cadenza” (the local jazz outfit).

Jazzmandu has been a platform for many a virtuoso performer from across the globe, like Trilok Gurtu and headliners like Louis Banks, Natalie Williams, Jesse Van Ruller, The Latin Jazz All Stars, Mark Brown Band, and Catia Werneck Quartet to name a few. Sharing stage along with these names are the traditional musicians of Nepal, and the magical feel that accompanies such a performance is an experience not worth missing. Continuing its heritage, this year too, Jazzmandu has an array of awesome talents from various cultural backgrounds and from various countries giving their refreshing and own unique touch to jazz.

Reflecting today's vibrant and cross cultural musical landscape, Jazzmandu is a unique chance to explore the diversity of Nepal’s social and cultural landscape in all its grandeur, the hospitality and warmth of its people, the breath taking landscape of the mighty Himalayas and to also have a world class musical experience. A cross cultural exchange of musical vibes and knowledge provides a rare chance to explore a whole new side of one’s globetrotting.

Since its inception, Jazzmandu has come a long way in developing its core ideas and has continued to strive towards excellence. This festival contributes to the exposure of Nepal to the rest of the world and to the enrichment of its children’s musical growth by organizing free educational music programs, workshops and clinics for school students around Kathmandu every year. It has also contributed towards bridging all gaps and heralding peace through the medium of music...music, which knows no boundaries. Today Jazzmandu in all its glory is one of the most renowned music festivals and is something that should definitely be included in everyone’s “Nepal experience”.

-by Samriddhi Tanti