Spanish Sarangi, anyone?

Spanish, folk, jazz, blues, Arabic and electro are just some of the tunes that a newly-formed sarangi band is all set to play in town... amazed?

Spanish, folk, jazz, blues, Arabic and electro are just some of the tunes that a newly-formed sarangi band is all set to play in town... amazed?

His latest release Sarangi Funk is about the art at its quirky best. Kamal Sabri has not just inherited the musical legacy of his celebrated father and sarangi legend Ustad Sabri Khan, but has also given the subject some never-before twists.
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His new age version of music is all set to leave you amazed, amused and enchanted. We caught him at the launch of his band yesterday.

Desi Funk: Rafiuddin Sabri, Kamal Sabri, Anuja, Joshua Grants and Abhishek Bhardwaj

We haven't ever heard of a Sarangi band before!
Yes. This is for the first time in the music industry that a music band is based on sarangi as a leading musical instrument. The myth is that sarangi is used only to emote sad tunes, but we have tried to give it vibrant energy so that people like it more. I wanted to start something of my own, and was looking for people who were interested in this kind of genre.

Tell us something about your compositions.
We have picked music from different parts of the world, brewing new concoctions of rhythm, beats and melody. The album consists of eight tracks Sarangi Technology (UK style beats), Sarangi Spania (Spanish funk), Seven Again (time cycle of seven beats with tabla), Namaste India, Sarangi Romance (lounge feel), Jazzy Rangi (jazz and blues), Sahira (funk from Arab) and Sarangi Technology (electro mix). Covering so many unique facets of sarangi in one single album is quite an achievement.u00a0

When did the idea strike?
It was when my last album, 'Dance of the Desert,' was submitted for the Grammy in 2006, that I thought of categorising sarangi as a world music instrument.

Did you always want to be a sarangi player?
No, I wanted to be a film star or cricketer during my childhood. I developed an interest only when I went on to a tour with my father to Europe. I am the seventh generation sarangi player in my family.

Your most memorable experience so far?
It was when I went to Pakistan for a performance. I landed at the airport and some people came to receive me. When I read my name, I went to them, and they disapproved, saying, "You are not wearing kurta payjama, you don't have a beard, you are not chewing paan. You are so handsome, how can you be a classical artist?" I stood there astounded, in my jeans and tee.

What's next?
We will have a tour in India this year and one in Europe in 2010. I hope to give a new dimension to classical music.