Monsoon ragas for the soul

Internationally feted sitar player Ustad Shujaat Khan and world fusion artiste Rahul Sharma will perform traditional and contemporary pieces at Banyan Tree Events' concert Barkha Ritu this weekend

This year's Barkha Ritu, the annual concert dedicated to monsoon ragas, is an interesting way to look at the constant evolution of Indian Classical music. While noted sitar player Ustad Shujaat Khan will play traditional monsoon melodies, Santoor vadak (player) Rahul Sharma's performance will take a leap into the contemporary fusion music space. Event organisers, Banyan Tree Events, promise music lovers an event that will appeal to all age groups.

Ustad Shujaat Khan

Celebrating the rains, Rahul and Ustad Khan are ready to recreate the thunder and pitter-patter of raindrops with their instruments. Rahul, who will perform in the city, after touring the festival circuit in the UK, is happy to return to his roots. "Last year, I released an album called Rainchanted, which was dedicated to the monsoon. In my experience, the rains have always inspired me to compose music. The santoor sounds, too, are reminiscent of waterfalls and nature during the rains.

Rahul Sharma

This is why I like to compose melodies, which one can listen to on a rainy day," says Rahul, who will be playing compositions from Rainchanted at Barkha Ritu. Ustadji, on the other hand, will bring alive monsoon motifs -- bahar, mor, papiha -- through his rendition of Goud Malhar. "Goud Malhar is my favourite Raga and yes, I will be performing compositions from the Malhar family of ragas at the festival. It is easy for audiences to associate these ragas with the monsoon. I enjoy the rains, specially in open and cleaner spaces," says the artiste.

Rahul represents the contemporary Hindustani Classical artiste of the country, who is giving world music an Indian touch. Recently, he collaborated with American smooth jazz saxophonist, Kenny G, with whom he released a seven-track weepy instrumental album, Namaste India. "Two years back, I met Kenny in Mumbai. He heard some of my previous tracks and was thrilled at the idea of collaborating together. He wanted me to write all the songs, on which we both played. It's been a bestseller for the past three months in USA," says Rahul, who is looking forward to a worldwide tour with Kenny in the coming few months.

Ustad Shujaat Khan too has been busy on a world tour with Asha Bhonsle to promote their album, Naina Lagai Ke. He hopes to perform in the city again with Ashaji. "It is not like a mainstream Bollywood music album," he says, of their record. "If music lovers appreciate such melodies, we'll surely have a concert again. It is a pleasure to perform here more because people not just enjoy our music, but also understand the composition."

On: Today, 6.30 pm
At: Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli.
Call: 24964680; donor cards for the festival are also available at Rhythm House: 43222727; Landmark, Infinity Mall, Andheri: 26396019