11 January,2011 09:15 AM IST | | Fiona Fernandez
Susheela Raman's South Indian roots fuse with her European sensibilities to radiate a visceral synergy. The Guide plugged into the artist, who is in the city to promote Raise Up, a leading track from her soon-to-be-released album VEL
"In my new album VEL, I've worked with a Londoner and Rajasthani musicians to create a sound that's a collision with English Rock; the power and ecstasy of Indian music creates a visceral sensation. It's a passion that goes beyond the obvious," says the dusky, Susheela Raman, one of the most eclectic, creative artists to emerge from the South Asian diaspora.
Susheela Raman's performance at Outerindia, London in September 2010
Presently in town to promote her single from VEL, called Raise Up, the seamless energy in her voice can't be missed. "Most of my best songs were written rather quickly. In Raise Up's case, I wrote it after I attended and performed at a folk festival in honour of Lord Muruga, near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. This was about two years ago. The drumming and the energy at that event was ecstatic. I returned charged and wrote this track. Sam Mills, my guitarist and producer refined it and we recorded in June 2009 in New York."
VEL (meaning spear in Tamil) releases in France in February and will hit Indian music stores in autumn. The album, which is part English and part Tamil, documents her journey as a European with South Indian ancestry into the heartland of Tamil music.
This acclaimed musician who has released four albums since 2001 is happy that her music has evolved over the decade. "The English is stronger while the Tamil has become high-voltage and visceral." She quickly adds that the Tamil connect for her is important especially being a second generation Indian -- "You can copy English or American Rock up to a point. For extra depth, it's necessary to connect. Once you combine them, a fantastic sound is created," she maintains.
Apart from her Tamil roots and encounters with Rajasthani folk music, she's inspired by Baul music and qawwals from Pakistan -- "It's elevated Folk music." She digs Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and American Blues from the '60s -- "their sound was free." The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Bjork inspire her too. Praise flows effortlessly when she speaks of fellow Tamil talent, Sri Lankan Hip-Hop artist M.I.A. (aka Maya Arulpragasam) -- "She's a brilliant, creative performer.
She's taken risks and has done loads of daring stuff by drawing from her Tamil roots."
Taking Indian sound to another level, Susheela set up Outerindia, a club in East London to act as a platform for visionary work from the subcontinent. "My music doesn't fit anywhere so I had to make my own genre. The theme of performing at Outerindia is that it should have an Indian thread." We began in September 2010. The music fests will continue through February and beyond. The idea is to bring together connections from every medium, like never before."
On Tonight, 11.30 pm onwards
At Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mills Compound, Lower Parel.
Call 40332300
Log onto https://nh7.in/indiecision2010/12/02/susheela-raman-raise-up-ep/ to download Raise Up
