Updated On: 11 September, 2022 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Nidhi Lodaya
When Kathak matches beat with a Spanish Flamenco quartet

Aditi Bhagwat
Eighteen years ago, guitarist Marta Robles became part of the all-women Spanish quartet Las Migas. Since then, Las Migas has been appreciated globally for joyful, feminine and brave Flamenco performances, including a Latin Grammy nomination. In 2020, the four-piece band was honoured with the Independent Music Award for best Flamenco album.
Flamenco is a performative spectacle of Andalusian heritage that blends Cante (vocals), Toque (guitar), Baile (dance) and Jaleo (hand-clapping and foot-tapping). “We were studying Flamenco music at the conservatory of Barcelona,” says Robles, who is now de facto leader of the band, “and formed this female band to investigate the roots of our individual styles. I was part of the formation in 2004. Over the years, we have changed members. I’m the only one who has been around since the beginning.” Robles also looks after the composition and direction. Other members include dancer and vocalist Carolina ‘La Chipsa’, Roser Loscos on violin and make-up, and Alicia Grillo, also a guitarist. The quartet will be debuting at the Royal Opera House on September 22, and will be joined by Oriol Riart Laborda on the bass guitar.