Nadaka: Indian/World Music 15th August in Woodstock, NY
Julian
Nadaka, an internationally acclaimed musician from
Auroville, is touring with his group. They are coming to Woodstock NY
Sound clips and videos at http://nadaka.com
NADAKA A Sense of the Infinite
World Music with an Indian Soul
Maverick Concert Hall, Maverick Road
Woodstock NY 12498
http://www.maverickconcerts.org/directions.html
Reserved Seating/Advance Purchase at
PONDICHERRY on the Village Green 845-679-2926
Nadaka
In Sanskrit, “ Nada” is the origin of sound and “ Ka” is the one who
carries it within. Born in Quebec in 1958, Nadaka has lived near
Pondicherry in South India since 1974.
Music it seems was always a part of his life, first in Quebec then
else where, as he leaves his native land at the age of 16 to “travel
the world”, spending time in Morocco, Iran and Afghanistan before
finally reaching India where he settles permanently.
An early pioneer on the eroded landscape of Auroville, near
Pondicherry in South India, he participates actively in the ecological
and material development of this utopian city in the making. Auroville
has since received numerous international awards for their work in
sustainable living.
His passion for Indian culture leads him to study its music, learn
different instruments and vocal styles. He also conceives and builds a
guitar that is specially adapted to play the ragas and subtle tones
of Indian music.
For this tour Nadaka shares the stage with musicians which he likes to
describe as members of one family, sharing their music, and their
common ideal.
Together in concert, they offer us the fruit of their collaboration;
traditional ragas, sacred chants, electric passages that come together
in a performance that seeks to open a window on the traditions of
India with a contemporary approach, making us feel closer to this
mysterious country and it’s sense of the infinite.
The Ensemble
Gopika was born in Bombay, and grew up in an environment of music and
art.
Her mother, Prafulla Dahanukar is a highly acclaimed painter who has
been actively promoting Indian classical music and theatre. Gopika
grew up listening to many of India’s great musicians performing at her
own family residence, and began with singing lessons at the age of
seven. Later graduating in Applied Arts, she also became an
accomplished painter and photographer. Progressively discovering a new
spiritual dimension within, she turned to the study of ancient
Sanskrit chants, which she now also teaches in Auroville and at the
Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, where she lives.
Bryce Grinlington was born in Melbourne, Australia, and began playing
flute at a young age. Years later while working as an engineer, he
followed a call to go to India, where he traveled extensively before
reaching Pondicherry and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram which he immediately
felt to be his spiritual home. Bryce has been living in Pondicherry
since 1979, and works in the archives department of the Ashram. Deeply
attracted to the Ragas of Indian music he took up Hindustani flute
under the guidance of Aniruddha Bannerjee, and for a further eight
years he practiced the flute under the guidance of vocalist Debanshu
Mukherjee. A regular performer and recording artist, Bryce also
teaches at the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education
Mishko M’ba was born in France and first studied classical music in
Toulouse, later focusing on jazz, rock and eventually world music
which brought him to India, Pondicherry where he now resides. He has
recorded and performed extensively around the world, with musicians
such as Ray Charles, Didier Lockwood and Reunion band Zishkakan. His
exposure to Indian music naturally brought on a new approach to his
instrument, a style that integrates the Indian slides and feel on both
six-string and fretless bass.
Suresh Bascara was born in Pondicherry, but left for France at the age
of 10. Later he studied and performed in Paris with rhythm expert
Christian Nicolas. Today, back in India, he lives in Auroville, and
has a been a part of numerous Jazz ensembles performing extensively
throughout the country. Aside from his regular musical medium, the
drum kit, he also plays the tabla, which he studied with Pandit
Shankar Ghosh in Calcutta. His smooth jazz drum style, Indian
percussion amalgamated, brings together a unique rhythm experience.