41st SPIRIT of INDIA CONCERT, CITY RECITAL HALL
Sudha & Manjiri Double-Bill Songs from North & South
Direct from the Womadelaide Festival, two of India’s best-loved classical singers – the Carnatic singer Sudha Ragunathan and the Hindusthani singer Manjiri Kelkar – will perform two traditions of music that have never been presented together in Australia before.
This unique double-bill will show the best of the two great traditions of Indian music. The vocal form of Indian music, derived from the ancient Vedic chant, is regarded as supreme: the instruments merely try to approximate to it. The heart of this music is the way the text is sung: it is a kind of meditation in sound. Hence it is eminently accessible to non-Indian audiences.
Since 1980, The Nataraj Centre has presented a galaxy of eminent Indian musicians and dancers, in association with major international arts festivals and arts organisations.
Sudha Ragunathan
Sudha Ragunathan is the most eminent singer today in the Carnatic (south Indian) tradition. Sudha has a powerful and captivating voice, a chaste singing style and charming stage presence. She is adored by her audiences. She has received around 200 awards from various organisations, including the prestigious Padma Shri from the President of India. Carnatic music is devotional, with a stricter rhythmic system. Its heart is the Kritis – short bursts of vigorous singing – in which Sudha excels. Sudha will be accompanied on the mridangam (percussion) by Neyveli Skanda Subramanian and on the violin by BV Raghavendra Rao.
Manjiri Kelkar
With a rare melodious voice and a fine sense of intonation, Manjiri has recently shot into fame as India’s finest classical young singer. She is the winner of the coveted Sangeet Natak Academy Bismillah Khan Award. Manjari moves with graceful ease from the purely classical to the semi-classical forms like Thumri and Tappa. Manjiri is accompanied by Vishwanath Shirodkar on the tabla and by Seema Shirodkar on the harmonium.
Tickets: Adult $50; Concession $40; Student $25
Additional fees may apply
Bookings: Telephone, (02) 8256 2222, in person at City Recital Hall, or Click here to book online
