Song of the Veena
When Minnesotans sit cross-legged for hours on end in a state of blissful trance, they are generally ice fishing. Not so with this group of citizens; they are playing South Indian Classical music right here in the frozen north.
Equally celebrated in India and Minneapolis, these five all-star musicians have come together for Song of the Veena, a mesmerizing introduction to this medieval instrument. An engineering marvel — originally of gourds, bamboo and wire — the veena has a subtle, rich tone not unlike a sitar after a strong cup of tea. Its tone, usually mangled by the use of contact mics in performance, has been captured here for the first time in all its clarity and depth.
In the hands of Nirmala Rajasekar, who has been playing it since the age of 13 (when she could barely hold it!), it comes rivetingly alive. She is a disciple of Kalpakam Swaminathan and has earned top accolades from Indian Radio and Television. She is also a fine vocalist in the Carnatic tradition and received Minnesota’s prestigious Bush Artist Fellowship in 2006.
Accompanying her are fellow Minnesotans Balaji Chandran (Ghatam), Marcus Wise (tabla), V. Srinivasan (Mridangam), and Vijaya Desikan (violin). The program starts with some light popular numbers before getting into the heavier ragas, where their talents of spontaneity, intelligence and feeling are amply demonstrated.
Substitute the lefse for a poori and the Mississippi River for the Ganges, and you will love this joyful album.
