A CONVERSATION AROUND MUSIC
This year, the Indian Music Summit aims to explore classical and folk influences in mainstream music
With the objective of celebrating India’s rich and diverse musical heritage through conversations and performances, at its heart, the third edition of Indian Music Summit, which kicks off in Jaipur today, is looking to go beyond all that it has achieved over the past two years.
“The festival dissolves the distance between the stage and the audience, allowing the energy of the music, musicians and music lovers to become one,” shares co-founder Ambika Srivastava.
For this edition, over 50 sessions have been planned, with the three-day summit set to feature an eclectic motley of artists — singers Asha Bhosle, Sunidhi Chauhan, Javed Ali, rappers Prabh Deep and Raja Kumari and classical instrumentalists Taufiq Qureshi, Vikku Vinayakram and Shiv Kumar Sharma.
“Being part of such a stellar platform is truly exciting. Such events help us forge an ideal road map to harness and hone the young talents in the music business in India and engage them in conversations on all things related to music,’ says Californian singer-songwriter of Indian descent Raja Kumari.
“The India Music Summit is a unique platform. Rahul (Sharma, santoor artist, his son) is performing the first day and I am performing on the second. We are both looking forward to being in Jaipur and interacting with music lovers,” says Shivkumar Sharma.
Despite the organisers’ slight disinclination to have the buzz around mainstream film music, the festival will feature prominent names associated with the Hindi film industry. “We felt that the narrative was dominated by Bollywood and it could change only if we could create more conversations around other genres. [But] we don’t stay away from Bollywood. We explore their classical / folk leanings,” says Ambika.
Javed Ali, who is also performing at the event, says “I’m excited about my performance and to talk about music, ruhaniyat (spirituality) and Ek Sachcha Sur (the festival anthem) with the younger audience that appreciates the nuances of music.”
Another major attraction at this festival will perhaps be an interactive session that will see CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi interact with singer Asha Bhosle. “This year, I’m looking forward to my conversation with Ashaji. We have grown up listening to her voice — I feel very fortunate that I will be speaking to her about her life and her music. We have all heard her sing but rarely have we heard her share her musical journey,” says Joshi, who was involved with the curation of this festival in its previous two editions, too.
The lyricist adds, “The festival does not require an introduction; the word of mouth among music lovers is so strong. When something great in music happens, it just cascades. Similarly, this is being sought after, it is becoming a music lover’s destination.”
The festival dissolves the distance between the stage and the audience, allowing the energy of the music, musicians and music lovers to [unite]. AMBIKA SRIVASTAVA
FESTIVAL CO-FOUNDER Rahul (his son and santoor artist) is performing the first day and I am performing on the second. We are both looking forward to being in Jaipur and interacting with music lovers.
SHIVKUMAR SHARMA CLASSICAL MUSICIAN When something great in music happens, it just cascades. Similarly, this is being sought after, it is becoming a music lover’s destination. This year, I’m looking forward to my conversation with Ashaji (Bhonsle). PRASOON JOSHI LYRICIST AND CHIEF, CENTRAL BOARD FOR FILM CERTIFICATION