Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2013 - bringing musicians together

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, formally known as the Surya Nepal International Kathmandu Jazz Festival, will once again bring International and Nepali musicians together in the Nepali capital for its 11th edition of “the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas”.

Jazzmandu 2013

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, formally known as the Surya Nepal International Kathmandu Jazz Festival, will once again bring International and Nepali musicians together in the Nepali capital for its 11th edition of “the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas”.

Since its inception eleven years ago, the festival has grown to become a respected event among music enthusiasts and musicians alike, and an additional attraction for visitors to Nepal. The festival has been instrumental in placing Nepal on the International jazz map and jazz music has now found a place of its own in the heart of the Himalayas.

Over the years, Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has succeeded in not only introducing jazz to Nepal, but also in generating a growing interest for music education and western music traditions. Local musicians who have been exposed to jazz have expanded their creativity, explored new techniques and the freedom of improvisation in playing familiar instruments. The Jazz for the Next Generation competition is now a well established feature of the festival that provides an opportunity for aspiring local young bands to showcase their skills and talent and interact with renowned foreign artists.

The international language of music dismisses narrow socio-cultural divides and cuts across our differences of culture, color, faith, geography to promote peace and compassion in a world in great need of understanding, empathy and tolerance. Surya Nepal Jazzmandu provides an exciting platform for musicians and people of all walks of life to come together through their love of music.

Over the years, the festival has provided free shows for the general public, jazz performances for school students, master classes and workshops by visiting artists for music enthusiasts and students. Over the past eleven years Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has introduced people in Nepal to many great, world-famous jazz artists such as Trilok Gurtu, Louis Banks, Natalie Williams, Ari Hoenig, Tito Puente Jr, Mark Brown Band, and Catia Werneck Quartet to name but a few.

Visiting artists in turn have had the chance to discover and enjoy the rich culture, beauty and diversity of Nepal, to meet and share musical experiences, and jam together with renowned local musicians and other international artists.

The festival presents a unique blend of cultures, musicians and improvisational music to create a magical and unforgettable musical experience in the heart of the Himalayas. Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has successfully brought many reputed musicians from far and wide to the Nepali capital where an ever-growing audience of jazz enthusiasts and music lovers crave quality music. Jazz has permeated cultures all over the world and Surya Nepal Jazzmandu continues to bring musicians from diverse backgrounds to present their unique and refreshing approach to jazz.

This year, the festival features The Claudia Quintet (USA), Mike del Ferro (The Netherlands), Eliane Amherd (Switzerland), Yaite Ramos Quartet (France), 4th Element (India), and from Nepal: Cademza, Gandharva, Joint Family Internationale, the KJC faculty and the Dhime Girls

For more information about the festival and complete artists profiles log on to www.jazzmandu.org.

- EFNI

Jessica Lewis - the teenage guitar prodigy

She was just 16 years old when musicians like Guthrie Govan, Alex Hutchings and Larry Carlton became her fan. Infact, she played 'Feeling Fine' by Alex Hutchings when she was sixteen. Born in 1994, Jess Lewis was 12 years old when she showed interest in playing the electric guitar and her grandmother was the first person to introduce her to Joe Satriani's music.

Jess' sound is fresh and she has the ability to play almost anything on the guitar including Jazz and Blues music. She was awarded the 'Young Talented Musicians Award' by Royal Manor Arts College and the Rotary Club sponsored her to study 'Rock & Beyond + Jazz' at the International Guitar Foundation when she was 15.

Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai says, “I found this video of “Jess” performing “Die to Live” to be charming. I know what I went through to learn it so hats of to you Jess."

James of London Guitar Academy feels that Jess has the same fresh sound Joe Satriani had when he first released Not Of This Earth.

"Her talent is so organic, it suggests that sometimes nature apportions its blessings in an unfair way when it comes to musical ability" - Alissa Ordabai of PureGuitar says about Jess.

"This is an exciting time, and I cant wait to start creating/composing my own music & I am eternally 'Thankful', to those who have inspired, and who still continue to help me on this journey. I hope my music will do what so many others have done for me over the years. In that it brings with it - PEACE, JOY, HOPE and STRENGTH" - Jess says.

Jess likes Fender Stratocaster guitar and D'Addario strings!

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Watch one of the videos of Jess Lewis performing 'Eternal Blues'

(Photo - www.eternal-guitars.com)
 
- EFNI

Aawaz - an attempt to create awareness against atrocities on women

Releasing this June, 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violation' is a music project aimed at generating awareness about violence towards women.

On 16 December 2012, a 23-year-old female physiotherapy intern was brutally beaten and gang raped in Delhi while she was traveling in a bus with her male companion. India stood up as a nation to condemn the horrific act and screamed to see that six men accused of the brutal rape were meted out due punishment. The media frenzy over the incident covered rallies and protests across the nation, which initially seemed promising.

Pratik Nalawade in Aawaz - speak up against sexual violation

There were talks about chemical castration, fast track courts and reforms in rape laws to ensure safety of
women in the country. A noted political leader even conducted a silent march in memory of the unfortunate gang rape victim who succumbed to her internal injuries on 29 December 2012.

In no time, the frenzy died down and spot fixing scams and celebrity arrests took over the national media. People who protested the horrific incident waited in anticipation, much like the victim's family - hoping to see the guilty being punished.

Meanwhile in a parallel India, regional media (and occasionally national media) kept reporting about horrific rape incidents on women of all ages, across the nation. Let's not forget the footage where cops were seen beating a woman for protesting against misdemeanor towards her.

'It is not a time to keep quiet', rose a unanimous thought amongst a group of young adults in Bangalore. 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence' is the outcome of that rage, that frustration and that hopelessness, felt while waiting for the law makers and the government to do their jobs. The song is written by Assamese musician Jim Ankan Deka and Ritwika Bhattacharya is an outcry to invoke the nation once again to remind them of the Delhi gang rape incident and many other similar incidents that our country witnesses.

The people associated with this music project are striving to engage people to foster societal reforms, and generate awareness about the laws made to protect women in our country. Aawaz is an attempt to reignite that collective voice and persistently scream to make India a safe haven for women.

- by Parmita Borah

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Recorded at Eastern Fare Studio, Madcat Music Studio, Sargam Audiocraft and Centerstage, Antara Nandy (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs 2009 Finalist), Queen Hazarika (noted vocalist from Assam) and Ritwika Bhattacharya (song writer) have rendered their voices to the song. The song is composed by Jim Ankan Deka.

People associated with the project in various departments include -

Parmita Borah (direction, production, camera),
Vicky Mahanta, Pankaj Rajkhowa and Pratik Nalawade (music),
Mohd Siraj Mahagavin (animation)
Antara Barua and Rachel Rose Oommen (artists)
Pruthvi, Atlanta, Priyanka, Monibha, Partha, Rahul (production assitant), and
Shasanka Gogoi, Anoop Guha, and Vikramjit Kakati (camera).

- by Team EFNI

Assamese musician Vicckey Goswami’s remarkable musical sojourn

‘Music is what feeling sounds like’, and that is what pours out of the award winning musician Vicckey Goswami. Hailing from a family dedicated to art and culture in Tezpur, Assam, this talented youth was drawn to music from a nascent age. A man of multiple talents, Vicckey has proved his skills as a drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, vocalist, and composer.

Vicckey Goswami

Vicckey’s musical journey began as a music composer with the Ford Super Model show with Mehr Jessia Rampal in 1996, and has composed music for more than 200 Ad films. His latest score was for the Audi A8L TVC which won the Integrated Spikes Asia Award as well as the Goa Fest 2012.

Vicckey’s tribute composition to Late Bhupen Hazarika was released on Universal and featured Shankar Mahadevan, Kailash Kher and Shaan. He was invited to compose music for a Telecom Company in Uganda with a reputed local musician Kaweesa who arranged for children from an orphanage to sing, a project very that Vickey considers very close to heart.

Amongst, other achievements, the best composer award for Lowe Lintas for three consecutive years and RAPA Award for Radio Mirchi signature tune are just to name a few. Bollywood was not far behind when he won the Zee Cine Jury award for the best background score for the Salman Khan starrer Tere Naam. He was also a finalist at Cannes for the best sound design for his ST Gobbain Film.

Vicckey performed at the Groove Temple Concert in Goa with internationally acclaimed artists Prem Joshua and Talvin Singh on January 04, 2013. He is all set to release an album shortly. His consistent contribution to the world of music has won him genuine accolades.

- Edited by Parmita Borah

Sitar Maestro who put Indian music on international map took his final bow

Pt. Ravi Shankar (1920-2012)

I can't claim to know much about Pandit Ravi Shankar's music, nor much about music for that matter; but it is safe to say that with his demise, the world of music has suffered another massive blow, and not just in the Indian scene but on a whole global front.

In the 1960's when India was still struggling to segregate and discover it's own identity from that of the leftover influence of Brits, a musician from orthodox classical music background emerged as a music icon of the western hippie culture. Was it dumb luck that shot him to fame? Not Likely. Dumb luck is for Gangam Style, not the likes of people who understood and fused genres with polar differences and created a blend that could be grasped and loved by many.

The multi talented Maestro wrote the Oscar-nominated score for 1982 film "Gandhi," several books, and mounted theatrical productions. His popularity exploded in the west for his multiple collaborations with western musicians, George Harrison being the most enduring one. Amongst his numerous performances in the west the most notable ones include the Woodstock Music Festival, Monterey Pop Festival and one at the Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Gardens in New York City (of which he was a co-organiser along with Harrison). Pandit Ravi Shankar’s influence in classical music, including on composer Philip Glass, is equally noteworthy. His work with Menuhin on their "West Meets East" albums in the 1960s and 1970s earned them a Grammy, and he wrote concertos for sitar and orchestra for both the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

Pandit Ravi Shankar has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and recognition. Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury at the 1957 Berlin International Film Festival, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award; the three highest national civil honours of India: Padma Bhushan, in 1967, Padma Vibhushan, in 1981, and Bharat Ratna, in 1999, just to name a few. He was made an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Elizabeth II for his "services to music". He will also receive lifetime achievement Grammy award posthumously, making him the first Indian recipient of the award. The 55th annual Grammy Awards show will be held in Los Angeles on February 10, 2013.

Pt. Shankar’s contribution to Indian music is equally substantial – from composing music for Apu Triology to working as the music director of All India Radio, New Delhi, from 1949 to 1956. His legacy however, is not limited to being a brilliant sitar virtuoso; rather, the fact that he helped assimilate traditional Indian Raagas into the ever progressing world of rock and roll, thus opening the flood gates of fusion. He helped to craft and develop a genre of music that the whole world could understand, relate to and enjoy. While fusion experiments may not always be successful, but with the sitar going global and forming a core part of rock ballads, jazz and world music, Shankar threw light on centuries-old traditions of Indian music which would have otherwise remained unknown. Niklas Stålvind, lead guitarist of the Swedish heavy metal band ‘Wolf’ himself played the sitar on the track “Electric Raga. A synergy like that is feasible today, thanks to the vision that Pandit Ravi Shankar had many decades back.

There’s little wonder why George Harrison of Beatles labelled him as the ‘godfather of world music’.

- by Parmita Borah

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and his attachment with Meghalaya

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is not only a revered figure in Assam, but also equally revered in Meghalaya. The people who came in touch with him in one way or another still keep such glorious, delightful and nostalgic memories alive in their hearts.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011)

The main purpose of this short article is to highlight his love towards and attachment with the people of Meghalaya. Also it is a small step towards educating the new generation about Bhupen Hazarika’s contribution in showcasing the culture and tradition of the people of Meghalaya, particularly the Khasis with the outside world during 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

Dr. Hazarika was not merely a singer, but was a humanist. Most of his unforgettable songs carry the message of love and unity. His songs reflect the colourful culture of the tribes of the then great undivided Assam. In one of the songs he talks about the age-old relationship between Assamese and Khasis. Comparing both, he beautifully describes about the commonness in many avenues of rural lifestyles. I couldn’t help but to share this beautiful creation for greater perception which has been transliterated keeping the meaning and aesthetic sense as nearest as possible -

With drum beats

With the warmth of hearts

With the unseen thread of attachment

Let’s embrace the Great Syiem of the hills.

At wet Cherrapunjee

In the wetness of the sky

The way the generous cloud

Embraces our great ‘Luit’

Krishna cowboys play the ‘Bahi’

Khasi cowboys play the ‘Sharati’

Both the flutes made up of bamboo

Both express the same melody

Tall pine trees with green leaves

Our ‘Ahat’, too, reflects the same hue

‘Bnei’ or ‘Jone’ in the hills and plains

Blesses us with same moonlit night

By cultivating the red hills

Khasi farmers work day and night

In the plains, too, thousands of Rangmon

Represent the same farmers.

One of his most romantic numbers entitled ‘Shilongore godhuli’ (The Evening of Shillong) carries deep rooted meaning bringing alive the beauty of a young Khasi maiden and the beauty of the nature in the hills. He shared his affection towards the dew drops gracefully falling down from a ‘diengsie’ leaf. He was awe inspired when darkness slowly engulfed a tiny village in Meghalaya.

His another number ‘Shilongore Monalisa’ (Monalisa of Shillong), which he beautifully composed and sang alongwith his brother late Jayanta Hazarika, was one of the most remarkable songs where he describes about an imaginary Khasi damsel Monalisa Lyngdoh highlighting the ability to play guitar – a sign of culturally active people of Meghalaya.

Lien Makao – his another golden number, is a duet with Manna Dey and one of the most popular songs of the film ‘Pratidhwani’. The song carries the message of love and brotherhood among the people of Meghalaya. Similarly many of his creations carry the message of unity among the people of hills and plains.

He had a far reaching plan to create a common archive cum museum where songs of different tribes of the North-east would be preserved. He mentioned about the rich musical tradition of the Khasis, Jaintias, Garos, Hajongs etc in his songs, journals and interviews.

In the year 1970, Bhupen Hazarika won as an independent M.L.A. and placed in Shillong – the capital of undivided Assam. He was accommodated in the Room No. 33 at Pinewood Hotel, Shillong. It was the glorious moment for the people of Assam and Meghalaya. He did his best to develop the prevailed situation of rich musical traditions of Assam and the Khasis.

His brother and ex-professor of St. Anthony’s College, Sri Balen Hazarika still remembers the day and said to me once, “Bhupen da was the MLA and it was a moment of joy for his family members as well as fans. I along with many friends used to visit the assembly hall regularly just to witness the interesting yet unforgettable debates by the ministers and MLAs including Bhupen da. Bhupen da was always vocal about the importance of preserving the age-old traditions of our people and expected that the government would do their best and offer financial support for projects like the creation of an archive, Jyoti Chitraban, etc.”

The leading personalities among the Khasi intellectuals and thinkers like Dr. Helen Giri, Chesterfield Khongwir, etc. extended their full support and cooperation to Dr. Hazarika by helping him in showcasing Khasi cultural heritage in various occasions particularly outside of North-east India. Their commendable work in the ‘21st Banga Sanskriti Sanmilani’ was an unforgettable experience for thousands of audiences who thronged the venue to witness the colourful cultural heritage of the seven sisters where Dr. Hazarika’s role as the head of the northeast troupe as well as the interpreter of the entire programme is a matter to be specially referred to.

Dr. Hazarika was a successful film and music director. He directed a number of films in Assamese, Bengali and Hindi. In most of the films, that he directed, he himself was the script writer, lyricist, and music director. He directed some remarkable TV serials, too. His films were highly acclaimed and he was nominated as the best music director several times in his life. One of his unforgettable films was ‘Pratidhwani’ in 1964. It was a romantic film based on the life and culture of the Khasis. The same was dubbed into Khasi as ‘Ka Sharati’ which brought laurels to the state by receiving the Silver medal from the President of India. Further, the film was invited to the International Film Festival held in France in the same year. Dr. Hazarika had to work hard to collect money to make the film. He used to travel from one village to another along with his only God gifted property – the sweet and powerful voice. After this film he became a loving hero among the Khasis.

Dr. Hazarika used to perform at different concerts and events throughout Meghalaya including Garo hills; mostly to raise funds for noble causes like opening of a school, orphanage etc. Once in the ‘Laban Bihu Sanmilan’ the then people’s leader professor R. H. Lyngdoh emotionally hugged Dr. Hazarika and regretted saying, “Bhupen is better known outside than in the northeast.” This is partially true. Many of his evergreen compositions carry the message of love and unity among the people of northeast depicting their age-old relationship. But most of them are written and composed in Assamese and later translated into some other major Indian languages. Further, no significant steps are taken to translate his songs into other major languages of the Northeast. Local media is also responsible for that.

Dr. Hazarika had written a number of articles where he mentioned about the people and culture of Meghalaya. He had deep knowledge about the cultural heritage of the tribes of Meghalaya. Theoretically he knew all the nukes of Nongkrem and other dance forms as well as the traditional dances of Garos and Jaintias.

Today, at this time of social disorder and misunderstanding, Dr. Hazarika will remain an inspiration for thousands who are craving for peace and brotherhood. I have a firm belief that if his songs and other creations are correctly translated into different languages of the North-east and also if the new generation singers carry the deep meaningful messages of his songs, the negative attitudes of life will minimize to a great extent. Being a disciple of Paul Robeson and a person of principle he has proved many times through his powerful songs that ‘GAAN’ (music), and not ‘GUN’, can be the ideal and the cheapest instrument to fight against all social evils. Dr. Hazarika was an optimist and his songs reflect the same. Praising the monumental treasure work of U Soso Tham he said, “…Great people come once to the world to leave their foot prints through their golden creations. ‘Ka Duitara Ksiar’ is one among them….”

Bhupen Hazarika had a sense of humour. Once someone in America asked him the meaning of his name, he said, “‘Bhu’ means the earth in Assamese. I am the ‘pen’ of the ‘earth’.” Though the statement was comical, it best fitted him.

Truly, his writings reflect the love, happiness, miseries and sorrows of the mass. His songs have a universal appeal. Through his immortal creations he has proved that the pen is mightier than the sword. He is no more today, but his golden voice will forever act as the guiding force resonating peace and harmony among the people of different culture when racial and religious intolerance have reached the extremum.

By - Ankur Deka
Email: ankur1966@gmail.com
 

Priyamvada Patel Hazarika (wife of Bhupen Hazarika) paying her respect to Dr. Hazarika at a function in Guwahati, Assam

Assamese singer Kalpana Patowary resurrects Bhojpuri Shakespeare

Indian folk music goes global, thanks to Bhojpuri singing sensation of Assamese origin, Kalapana Patowary with the launch of her new album The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur. Produced by EMI/Virgin records, the album is a tribute noted Bhojpuri litterateur Bhikhari Thakur. It was launched in Mauritius on the 4th of June 2012, by the country's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Public Infrastructure Mr. Anil Kumar Bachoo and Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee, Minister of Arts and Culture.

The richness of Bhojpuri mores have perhaps been shadowed by the massive popularity of double meaning hip shakers, thanks to the competitive rating points driven entertainment industry. It therefore comes as a surprise when one of the most popular Bhojpuri vocalists decides to stream aside from the rat race and explore the lost works of Bhikhari Thakur, fondly known as Shakespeare of Bhojpuri literature for his contribution to poetry and drama.

Assam born singer Kaplana Patowary has carved a mighty niche for herself in the entertainment industry having lent her vocals to a numerous Bhojpuri songs as well as Bollywood numbers including films like Billo Barber and De Dhana Dhan. Although she has a myriad of folk and popular songs to her credit, Bhojpuri music has been her most dedicated foray.

Born in 1887, Bhikhari Thakur’s creative sojourn began late in his life for he was an illiterate until quite a few decades of his life. He learnt the three Rs from a shopkeeper when he went to Calcutta following a family tradition of working in the city. The stark social and cultural variations of his village and Calcutta, as well as works of Raja Ram Mohan Roy inspired him to express his experiences through literature. On returning to his village Bhikhari Thakur formed Bhikhari Thakur Natak Mandali thus creating a theatre form called Bidesia. Unlike conventional poets and dramatists, Thakur’s work took a dig at the redundant ways and customs of the society of his. One of his most noted works includes the tale of a woman in a village whose husband leaves the village to work in a but she still has physical desires, so she gets involved with another man and has a child.

Inspired by the contemporary nature of Thakur’s writings, Kalpana felt a need to share his work with a present day global audience. It turned out to be a mammoth task as the material available on Bhikhari Thakur is negligible. Luckily her rendezvous with a 98 year old dancer from the Bhikhari Thakur Natak Mandali gave her a first person account of the experiences of Tahkur’s legend as well as well walked her through his works.

Titled The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur, Kalpana’s tribute to the Shakespeare of Bhojpuri literature has nine melodious tracks, the lyrics of which were penned down by Thakur himself. His memorable poems on immigration and unemployment rendered by Kapalana's powerhouse vocals have been welcomed with warmth in many parts of the globe. It has been launched in France and Mauritius and a launch in is scheduled in the foreseeable future. It's comes as no surprise that EMI/Virgin Records has undertaken the risk of pricing this Bhojpuri album at Rs. 195. The Legacy of Bhikari Thakur takes Bhojpuri music from the masses to the classes.

- by Parmita Borah

Inner Power Of Music And Music Therapy

Music remains part and parcel of human life. It has close affinity with man’s happiness and sorrow. There is no man on earth who has never moved by the sweetness of music. Even the cruelest one also not alienated from it. In this regard I remember a story about the infamous Mussolini who was suffering from insomnia or sleeping disorder due to tension. By the same time Indian classical singer and the representative of Gwalior Gharana Pt. Omkarnath Thakur happened to visit Italy as a part of his Europe tour. Hearing his presence in Rome Mussolini invited him to his court where he presented Indian classical music. The music had a deep effect on Mussolini and led him to sleep and thus he was cured of his sleeplessness. The same singer also calmed down a roaring angry lion in the Kabul zoo by his rendition of Kaphi raga. Similar stories are found in ancient India where in the court of Akbar, Mia Tansen produced fire by Deepak raga and brought rain to extinct the fire by the perfect rendition of Mallar raga.

Today we will discuss about a new and emerging field – Music Therapy. Music therapy has already gained popularity in the western world and even very recently penetrated the Indian subcontinent. Music has a promising role in the field of medical science. Music has the inner healing power which is unique. Today the use of music in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, hospices, wellness centres and even in fitness centres has gained momentum. The relationship between music and medicine has become even sweeter than before and more systematic and research oriented. This relationship can rather be compared with the length and breadth of threads in the loom.

In the modern world music therapy was implemented for the first time for the benefit of the wounded soldiers in the World War II. The system of use of music to heal body and mind with a fixed target can be termed as Music Therapy.

In India people knew about the power of music from the days immemorial. In Samaveda the rules of raga rendition are available for treatment of diseases. In Ramdas Goud’s ‘Hindutva’ (1985, pp.85) there is mention of a book named ‘Sabdkoutuhal’. The one thousand slokas consist in that book were divided into three chapters. The first chapter describes about the treatment of different diseases with the use of sound and mentioned about ‘word medicine’. The uses of different instruments were recommended for different diseases. In the third chapter, there is a description about the removal of sickness by ‘shravan’, ‘manan’ and ‘kirtan’. Another book ‘Deval Sutra’ also enlightens about the rendition of ragas to cure diseases. It has been already proved that Indian raga music has enough healing power in treating diseases. Each raga has its own healing capacity. If the singer or player has deep knowledge about the rules of raga and expertise in performing the same can have impact on the health of the receiver whether it is mental or physical. A particular raga may act differently on different persons. Therefore, it is the prime duty of a music therapist to carefully select a raga taking into account the mental state of the receiver. Narad said in the fourth chapter of ‘Sangit Makarand’----

Ayurdharmayasobuddhi dhanadhanya phalam labhet |

Ragabhivriddhi santanam purnaragah pragiyate ||

Sangramarupalavanyam viraham guna kirtanam |

Sharavena pragatavyam lakshyanam gaditam yatha ||

Vyadhinashe, shatrunashe bhaya shoka vinashane |

Vyadhi daridrya santape, vishamgraha mochane ||

Kayadambaranashe cha mangala vishasamhrite |

Audavena pragatavyam gramashantyarthakarmani ||

-means Purna Raga should be rendered for longevity, faith, fame, intelligence, wealth, prosperity and fertility. Shadav Raga should be rendered in case of struggle, beauty, sorrow and other appraisal. Audab Raga should be rendered to remove unhappiness as a result of poverty, sickness and grahadosha.

The earliest written evidence about the effect of music on human body was found in the ‘Medical Papyri’ of 1500BC where there was mention about the increase of women fertility rate with the healing effect of music. Same kind of evidences are also found in some Greek stories.(Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1995, p.417-418).

Today music therapy is equipped with more rules to be able to prove it as an emerging scientific area. Russian scientist Dr. Dosiel has given the following postulates on the anatomical effect of music -----

• Music effects on the blood circulation.
• Music can maximize or minimize blood pressure.
• Frequency of heart beat may vary through the application of music.
• Amplitude, magnitude and tonal structures may effect on the blood pressure and frequency rate.

Today many music therapists follow Dosiel’s Theorem.

Indian or other Oriental music has better healing power in comparison to Western music. To justify the same two music therapists Charles Keele and Angeliki did an experiment. They divided some psychiatric patients into two groups. One group was exposed to Western music like the symphonies of Bach, Motzart, etc. and the other group was exposed to different ragas of Indian Classical Music. After the experiment it was found that the group exposed to Indian music responded more positively than the other group which helped in repairing of motor skills.

Western music is more systematic based on harmony and runs on fixed notes whereas Indian music is based on melody and more liberal. Improvisation is the basic characteristic of Indian music. Though notation systems are followed adherence to the notes are not fixed like western music. Musicians have enough freedom and their area of expression is much broader. Therefore, same raga may be rendered differently by different singers despite adhering to the rules of the raga. In Western music the role of improvisation is limited. Of course, Jazz is an exception to some extent. Russian scientist and musician Dr. Bokhaniski suggests the use of musical piece of Chopin to treat insomnia. While supporting the view Dr. Yung Hunter says that it also reduces physical pain. Dr. Herbert Spencer proved that fast music helps the patients with low blood pressure and the slow music with high blood pressure. Music has also positive effect on serious and last stage patients. Music is highly useful for the children with mental retardation.

Music therapists have a broad and diverse working ground. Music therapists have connection with everyone include children, adolescents, aged or old. Further, they have a challenging job with mentally retarded, visually impaired, deaf and dumb, criminals, addicted as well as normal ones. Even music has a great role to play in the world of sports.

Music therapy is a homogeneous combination of music, psychology, anatomy, audiology, computer and mathematics. Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy will be more effective if music therapy is associated with them. Sometime art, dance, drama and poetry are also taken as medium. By now in the west dance has emerged as a separate branch of therapy called ‘Dance Movement therapy’.

Other than classical music folk and traditional music has an inbuilt therapeutic element known to man since time immemorial. Man has been expressing his mind and feeling through music. He has the expertise in using music and traditional instruments in different occasions, be it birth, death, marriage, war, production of crops or to please the rain, thunder, sun and many other lesser gods.

Today there are dearth of researchers in the field of Music in true sense which, despite its being part and parcel of human life, is left neglected, undiscovered and unresearched due to lack of recognition as a field of higher scholastic achievement rather than a mere tool of entertainment. Therefore, I would like to invite scholars from different knowledge areas to come forward and use in depth potential and power of music to strengthen human knowledge so as to enable them to use the outcome result for the greater benefit of the human population.

Today music therapy is taught up to doctoral and post doctoral level in many universities and institutions around the world. Even in India, though lately, music therapy has been given place in Apollo Hospitals, AIIMS, etc. Even Apollo Chennai has introduced a one year post graduate diploma programme in Medical Music Therapy. Some other private trusts are also simultaneously working in this field including prestigious Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centres, London who has a branch in India. Among the universities Madras University experimented with some music therapy projects with positive outcomes. Today Music Therapy can rightfully be considered as a branch of alternative medicine.

-by Ankur Deka

Rongali Bihu: Heralding spring

Photo by Kangkan Hazarika

From time immemorial, Assam has had various kinds of folk songs and dances sung and played at different seasons of the year by the common folk of the countryside when festivals are held to make merriment of various kinds. Among the festivals, the new year festival is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in the spring season when the sky is overwhelmed with the utterances of the coming of the "Bordoichila".

All classes of people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion take part in the new year spring festival. This festival in Assam is known as Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu. The most significant part of the spring festival is the songs and dances which are sung and played expressing delight and also the love for life, society and friendship. Young girls from the countryside sing and dance to welcome Bihu. Nature begins to bloom with new colours and a new urge for recreation. This is expressed through various rites and festivals, song and dances and merry making.

Among the seasonal festivals of Assam, the Bihus have a wider popularity. There are three Bihu festivals in Assam which mark the agricultural season. The first is celebrated at the beginning of cultivation. The second is at the time when the seeds sown begins to appear as seedling, and the third is at the time of harvesting. The Rongali Bihu or Bohaag Bihu or the spring festival is celebrated at the beginning of the period when seeds are sown in the field. Bhogali or Magh Bihu is observed at the period of harvesting of crops. Further, there is the Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu when agricultural fields are blooming with new crops - greenish in colour at first and gradually turning into yellowish colour and the time for harvesting approaching. In Bohag there is the completion of the sowing of seeds and there is the hope of getting good returns. The returns depend on the fertility of the earth and good weather. In order to propitiate nature, men and women, young boys and girls begins to worship nature in many ways.

Photo by Vikramjit Kakati

Of the three Bihus, the Bohag Bihu is the most important ceremony. It is celebrated when the Assamese new year enters on the Chaitra Samkranti day. In such a time spring touches the naked earth - everywhere there appears new life. During Rongali Bihu, nature is enlivened with a new spirit. It takes on a new life, with new colours in the sky, and in the forests and hills. Minds of men are vibrant with joy and they come out to make merriment through dances and songs. The girls come out with traditional dresses signifying their ripeness of youth. The red Riha is the symbol of ripeness. During this period nature is gay with new urge for creation. Nature also welcomes the song birds like the cuckoos who "pour out their music". The sky is bright and blue and occasionally "rolling drum of the thunder cloud is heard". The young boys wearing typical Bihu dress with Gamocha in the head come out with drums and different kinds of flutes.

Bihu songs are typical folk-songs. The songs have deep meaning appealing to the mind. The songs are sung in the fields, by the river side and under the banyan tree. In the Bihu songs, there is the depiction of love - sweet love of man to man, love towards nature - river, forest, hills and birds.

Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu festival continues for seven days. The Samkranti day of Chaitra (generally April 14) is the Goru Bihu (Cow Bihu). Other Bihus are Manuh Bihu, Hat Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Maiki Bihu, Rongali Bihu and Sera Bihu. The first day of the Bihu is the Garu Bihu which is celebrated to pay respect to the cows, which are used in agriculture.

The remaining days of the Bihu are celebrated in merry making and participating in other social activities. The elders offer blessings to the younger ones. The young boys and girls pay respect to the elders offering them traditional Gamochas.

The spring festival or Rongali Bihu has come a long way since its inception when people had to depend solely on nature. Gradually changes have taken place in the celebration of the Bihu and at present it has occupied a place of social coherence, brotherhood, fellow feeling, etc. Rongali Bihu is now the most important festival, which has been accepted by all classes of people as the meeting ground of unity in diversity. Rongali Bihu has been able to bring about a new philosophy of life — to live together, to sing together and to be one.

-by Bhabananda Deka

Agents of Change - Women

Defying existing conventions, establishing their own, the perfect mix of nerve and grace - these women in their own subtle style changed the way the world looked at the descendants of Venus.

Mother Teresa

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was a novice nun in the early years of her training when she found her true calling. Realizing that the path to God lied not just in prayers within the walls of her convent - she replaced her traditional Loreto habit with a simple cotton sari and reached to the ones less fortunate than her on the streets of Darjeeling.

Mother Teresa, as we know her today pioneered the Missionaries of Charity, India, in 1950. For over 45 years, she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying. Born and raised in Skopje, Mother Teresa adapted India as her own country while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and later in other countries.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Fifteen years of house arrest and still standing strong. She was elected as the Prime Minister of Burma the 90s, but Burmese military didn’t allow her political party National League for Democracy to join the government and forced her to remain in her house sans visitors. 

Thus began her non-violent crusade to establish democracy in her country. Despite arrests and house arrest until her most recent release on 13 November 2010, Suu Kyi managed to accumulate international support for her cause. If that got you zonked dig this- Suu Kyi was offered freedom if she left the country, but she refused.

Amelia Earhert

Amelia Earhert needs no introduction. At a time when women intellect didn’t stretch beyond maneuvering vacuum cleaners and dish washers, when being an airhostess seemed the most gratifying job for women, this female aviator from America flew a plane all by herself across the Atlantic. 

Earhert delved into an arena which predominantly belonged to men and beat them at their own game- breaking many records and showing how aircraft had moved forward. We love this feisty daredevil for her guts and sense of adventure.

Kalpana Chawla

The first Indian-born woman and the second Indian person to fly in space, Kalpana Chawla had traveled 10.4 million kms, as many as 252 times around the Earth. Chawla joined the 'Astronaut Corps” in March 1995 and was selected for her first flight in 1996. 

She spoke the following words while traveling in the weightlessness of space, "You are just your intelligence". Unfortunately she was one of seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, but while she was alive she truly did live.

Coco Chanel

She redefined the concept of archetypal seamstress with her modernist thought, practical designs, and pursuit of expensive simplicity. Coco Chanel learnt how to sew in the orphanage that raised her and later used this skill to revolutionize the way women dressed. 

Her ‘little black dress’ and the trademark ‘Chanel suit’ that she introduced in the 1902s catapulted her to the echelons of fashion world. She was the only fashion designer to be named on 'Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century'. In addition to her contributions to fashion, Chanel was a popular figure in the Paris literary and artistic worlds.

- by Parmita Borah

Celebrating Nature's Bounty - Magh Bihu

The arid chill of the winter paves way for bright and brimming spring with the season of harvest at its threshold, giving people reasons to rejoice.

Photo courtesy - Alfresco Grand / Archana Bora

Magh Bihu or more appropriately Bhogali Bihu, one of the most important festivals of Assam,  is a paradigm of that spirit of festivity. The festival is known as 'Magh Bihu', since it marks the end of harvesting season in the month of 'Maagha', and 'Bhogali Bihu' for the fact that the celebration revolves around families getting together for a grand feast. Bhogali is derived from the Assamese word 'Bhog' which maybe interpreted as food and the name signifies that the stores and granaries in homes across the state are filled with the just harvested crop.

A large bonfire, referred to as 'Meji', and a feast, are the cardinal focus of Magh Bihu, although there are other fascinating traditions associated with the celebration. The feast being a part of the festivities is anything but obvious since Magh/Bhogali bihu commemorates a season of harvest.

On the eve of Magh Bihu, the night that is known as 'uruka', a large buffet dinner is prepared, often as a community activity, following a long preparation of traditional sweets known as 'Pitha'. Pitha is a rice-based fillet most commonly sweet in taste and on rare occasions salty. The night of Uruka is also spent by family members chatting around a bonfire, an activity that is also considered to a form of community watch guard to refrain mischievous youth and pranksters to cause any trouble. Traditionally on the eve of Uruka, pranksters sneak into people’s courtyards to taunt the owners.

Photo courtesy -
AssamInfo.Com / Utpal Sarma

Preparation and burning of the Meji, the traditional bonfire, is possibly the greatest attraction of Magh Bihu. The groundwork begins a day before Magh Bihu. Sticks and leaves are collected and a rough hut called ‘Meji’ is constructed. The entire community spends the night in rough hay structures called 'Bhela Ghar', guarding their Meji. The exemplary feast is prepared to serve those who guard the Meji. Burning of the Meji , considered as a sanctified act begins with a ceremonial bath. The Meji is burnt and several rituals are observed around the burning bonfire. It is also customary for the lady of the house to make offerings of pithas and other eatables to the Gods. Once the rituals are over, various types of potatoes are roasted on the embers of the bonfire, and there is a session of feasting on these roasted vegetables. The proceedings end with a traditional firework display. The crackers are made of bamboo, and they are called Hiloi.

Other highlights of Magh Bihu include traditional sports activities including egg fights, bull fights and bird fights. 'Tekeli bhonga' or pot breaking is yet another much loved sport.

In any part of the globe, tradition and culture have always furnished a special spot for nature, and therefore with every cyclic change that nature bestows there follows a celebration that is vibrant and joyful. The people of Assam while truly embodying that spirit, extend their thanks to mother nature in this beautiful celebration of life called Magh Bihu.

-by Parmita Borah

Farewells in 2011

The reel of every passing year brings with a potpourri of joyous and aggrieved moments, convivial births and deaths. This year in particular witnessed some historic deaths; the most shocking ones being that of Osama Bin Laden and Mohammed Gaddafi, but especially of iconic figures whose impact of society and culture have been humungous. Let us take a moment here and remember the fond farewells that we bade in the year 2011.

Steve Jobs

Known for his showmanship in what is otherwise considered a geeky profession, Steve Jobs in his iconic turtle neck, jeans and sneakers took the world of technology by storm with Apple Mac and Lisa. Even when he was dethroned from his own company, Jobs moved to bring about another revolution in the world of animation with Pixar. When Apple roped him back, Jobs pioneered the ipod and the incredible radical consumer product the iPhone which soon evolved into the ipad. This legendary genius breathed his last on October 5, 2011, after battling for long with a rare form of pancreatic cancer.

Bhupen Hazarika

The Bard of Brahmaputra, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika placed Assam on the global cultural radar when he represented India in Berlin at the World Conference of Composers. His efforts towards integrating the Northeast with the rest of India, expressing political views with music, and using the platform of music as a ballista for social change are simply overwhelming. The people of Assam will remain ever grateful to him for carving a niche for Assam as a musically and culturally affluent land. When Dr. Hazarika passed away on 5 November 2011 an estimated half a million mourners arrived to pay their homage to this legend, which surpassed the number of mourners in Michael Jackson’s funeral.

Elizabeth Taylor

Multiple Academy Award winning screen Goddess of yesteryears and known for unforgettable portrayal of characters like Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor will always be remembered as a timeless beauty. Apart from the stardom, the legendary actress fondly known as Liz Taylor is also known for her activism and charitable foundation supporting AIDS and HIV positive victims. After suffering from many years of poor health Taylor died of congestive heart failure on 23 March 2011 at the age of 79.

M F Hussain

A contemporary artist from India, who rose to worldwide fame and controversy, Maqbool Fida Husain is another noted figure in the world of culture to have left this world this year. Often criticized for alleged misinterpretation of Hindu deities, M F Hussain left India in 2006. He also took a shot at Film Making and being the controversy’s child that he was, Hussain received a mixed bag of reviews for his work. His colorful personality and expressed fondness for a myriad of Bollywood actresses occasionally got his name printed on Page 3. M F Husain died, aged 95, on 9 June 2011, following a heart attack.

Dennis Ritche

Another mighty pioneer in the world of computers, Dennis Ritche helped shape the digital era and is was best known as the creator of the C programming language, a key developer of the Unix operating system, and co-author of The C Programming Language. In 1990, both Ritchie along with Ken Thompson received the IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), "for the origination of the UNIX operating system and the C programming language". Ritchie was found dead on 12 October, 2011, at the age of 70 at his home in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. 

Computer historian Paul E. Ceruzzi had quoted: "Ritchie was under the radar. His name was not a household name at all, but... if you had a microscope and could look in a computer, you'd see his work everywhere inside".

Amy Winehouse

While most vocalists of her age and time engaged in creating peppy muzak, Amy Winehouse’s foray into fame came from her multifarious mix of RnB, Soul and Jazz, her distinctive style, and her powerful contralto vocals. However like most extremely talented musicians with the passage of time, her controversial battle with drugs, alcohol and various health problems took over her and she became a victim of her own demons. Winehouse died of an overdose on 23 July, 2011. Her musical career might indeed have been brief, but it was a reflection of pure talent, musical knowledge and a captivating personality.

Shammi Kapoor

Known as Elvis Presley of India for his western looks and bouncy dance moves, Shammi Kapoor remained a prominent romantic lead in Hindi cinema from the late 1950s until the early 1970s. Not many are aware but Shammi Kapoor was the founder and chairman of Internet Users Community of India (IUCI). He had also played a major role in setting up internet organisations like the Ethical Hackers Association. Kapoor maintained a website dedicated to the 'Kapoor family’. He died on 14 August, 2011, from chronic renal failure. Shammi Kapoor will be fondly remembered for his vitality and charm and for bringing many characters to life and making them memorable.

M. A. K. Pataudi

Fondly known as Tiger Pataudi, ex Indian cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team was as the ninth Nawab of Pataudi until 1971, when India abolished royal entitlements through the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India. He was an Indian Cricket Cricketer of the Year in 1962, and a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968. Tiger Pataudi breathed his last on 23 September 2011. His funeral was attended by myraid of film actors, directors and producers, as well as cricketing fraternity.

Jagjit Singh

Revered as one of the finest vocalists and a Ghazal maestro, Jagjit Singh was touted for contemporizing Ghazals with his melodic baritone voice and the infusion of western instruments in the genre. His silky voice ruled during early 80's in films like Prem Geet, Saath Saath and Arth. Singh crooned his last film song for Ashish Ubale's upcoming film Anandache Dohi. 

Jagjit Singh was the recipient of many prestigious awards including the 'Padma Bhushan', one of India's highest civilian honors by the Government of India. Singh’s career touched meticulous heights in the 70s and 80s and he came to be known as ‘The Ghazal King’ among music lovers. His collaboration with better half, ghazal singer Chitra Singh established them as the first ever successful duo-act (husband-wife) in the history of recorded Indian music. He died on October 10, 2011 at the age of 70 in Mumbai at Lilavati hospital, after suffering from a brain hemorrhage.

Kim Jong il

The supreme leader of North Korea (DPRK) from 1994 to 2011 Kim Jong-il was the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea, and the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, the fourth-largest standing army in the world. In April 2009, North Korea's constitution was amended to refer to him implicitly as the "supreme leader". Among other titles e was also referred to as the "Dear Leader", "our Father", "the General", and "Generalissimo”. There are many mystical legends attached to his birth and lifetime.

Kim Jong-il died of a suspected heart attack on 17 December 2011.

- by Parmita Borah

Derek Paravicini - Musician or a Superhuman?

Derek Paravicini

There are people we say who are gifted. There are people who are differently abled. And there are people who have triggered their talents to do extraordinary deeds. But what can we say about a person who can listen to a ten minutes piano solo once and deliver a ditto rendition instantly? Can we call that person Superhuman?

Derek Paravicini is a pianist with superhuman talents. He is one of the few gifted people with 'absolute pitch'. He can listen to a song or tune once and can perform it on piano exactly the same. He can identify every note in a chord. While most musicians can pick out only five notes from a chord, Derek can distinguish up to 20. The irony is, Derek is blind and was born with a 'savant syndrome'.

Derek was born to Nicolas Paravicini and Mary Ann Parker Bowles on July 26, 1979. He was a 25 weeks premature baby weighing just a pound and a half and due to the oxygen therapy given during his time in a neonatal intensive care unit, lost his eye sight. He had a twin sister who died at the time of birth. In fact, doctors at the Royal Berkshire Hospital believed that Derek would not survive too, as any baby born 14 weeks prematurely in the hospital never survived. But Derek made it and today he is creating world records.

Derek started playing the piano from the age of two and later learned it thoroughly from Adam Ockelford in London. He showed talent from beginning and gave his first performance in the Tooting Leisure Centre in South London at the age of seven. As Derek was blind, he could not read music or take reference to an external standard of music. Moreover, Derek's emotional capacity is limited with severe learning difficulties and he can't read braille. But that did not stop him from understanding the essence of music. He had his ears to rely upon. And at the very age of nine, Derek gave his first major public performance at a concert at the Barbican Hall in London with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra.

After the inception, Derek did not have to look back. He has been playing at numerous concerts with famous musicians. He performed at places like Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and twice at Downing Street for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

He was featured on 'Wogan', a chat show on British television, hosted by Terry Wogan and 'NOVA's' "Musical Minds" episode, a popular science television series from the U.S. Later he was featured on 'Extraordinary People's' episode titled "The Musical Genius" on Channel 5 and was the main subject of a documentary film called 'Musical Savants'. Derek also became famous in US after appearing twice on the CBS News programme 60 Minutes.

Young Derek Paravicini at a Concert

For his outstanding ability to remember tunes, Derek is also known as 'The human iPod'. He can remember tunes which he had heard decades ago and play them exactly. His memory has a databank of thousands of songs and can play any one of them at will, improvising as he goes. And he prove this many times through his concerts.

Because of his unique ability, he was featured on History Channel's 'Stan Lee's Superhumans'. He has received many awards in the last three decades of his life. Alongside of 'Barnardo's Children's Champion Award' which he received as a ten year old from Princess Diana, there are numorous Performance-assessment certificates from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Despite being a masterful musician with all these achievements, Derek's condition makes him dependant on round-the-clock care and help with even the simplest of tasks - from dressing to washing. Presently he is staying at the residential care home in Redhill, Surrey, run by the Royal National Institute for the Blind, UK. Derek is the great-grandson of the writer William Somerset Maugham.

Professor Adam Ockelford, a music psychologist at Roehampton University and the mentor, coach and the biographer of Derek Paravicini says, “I have never heard anyone play quite like Derek. He can hear a song just once and play it back perfectly, adapting it and improvising along the way. He has thousands of pieces in his repertoire now. It's like he's got libraries of pieces and styles in his head”.

-by Jim Ankan Deka

Ritchie Valens - the Pioneer of Rock and Roll

There are not many musicians who could make it to the list of  'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame', and for someone with a track record of only eight (8) months in the music industry, it could be a mammoth task. Richard Steven Valenzuela or popularly Ritchie Valens was the first Hispanic rock star who could create a record like that.

Born in May 1941, in Pacoima, LA, Ritchie started his career at the age of sixteen with a band named 'The Silhouettes' as a guitarist. He was a left handed, but mastered the art of a right handed guitarist. He was known as one of the pioneers of 'Rock and Roll', 'Chicano rock movement' and 'Latin rock'.

Ritchie received worldwide fame with his version of a Mexican folk song called 'La Bamba' released in 1958. The song, infused the traditional Mexican tune with a rock drive, ranked number 98 in VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll and number 345 on Rolling Stone magazine′s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This is the only non-English song to be listed.

Ritchie Valens (1941-1959)

In 1958, Ritchie was introduced to Bob Keane, the owner and President of Del-Fi Records, who recorded few of the famous numbers of Ritchie like 'Donna', 'Framed' and 'Come On, Let's Go' in the Gold Star Studios in Hollywood. Ritchie has three albums all together - Ritchie Valens (1959), Ritchie (1959) and In Concert at Pacoima Jr. High (1960).

Ritchie was still in his teens at the time of his demise caused by a plane crash. He was on a plane on February 2, 1959, after his performance in Clear Lake, Iowa, which crashed shortly after takeoff in a snow storm.

For someone who could have adorned the throne of fame and success in the realm of music, Ritchie's death was tragic and untimely. His contribution to music though limited by his short lifetime, is remarkable and defining. Today we remember his death as 'The Day the Music Died'.

-by Jim Ankan Deka