Concert at the Grieg Academy "The Musical Gate to India"

On thursday we had the pleasure of getting a great performance in traditional indian music. The concert was a part of rikskonsertene, produced by Hallgeir Frydenlund. These concerts have been taking place at some secondary schools around Norway. There were three artists, each with a superb skill in playing their instrument. Sunanda Sharma on vocals and Tanpura, Bahauddin Dagar on Surbahar and Shri Mithilesh Kumar Jha on Tablas. Before the concert started Hallgeir Frydenlund told us to open up our hearts and feel, which is very true in this type of music.

The Tanpura was constantly buzzing in the background during the whole show. Sunanda Sharma had an electronic box which is called an electric tanpura which gave a color to the tone. Behauddin opened the show with a long Surbahar session that was a really good starter. After a couple of minutes the audience was relaxed and grasped by the Indian trance-like feeling that the instrument gave. As the surbahar was gliding through the room some tabla was also joining in. And what sounded like an improvisation became a magnificent tune in the end.

Next up was a solo performance by the tabla player Shri Mithilesh Kumar Jha. He showed us the vast possibilities this instrument has. He took us around and inside the instrument playing in all tempo’s and rhythm’s. I personally was amazed over this man and what his two hands were capable of doing. But it’s not over til the (fat) lady sings.

The last act in this concert was a traditional Indian song that had origin in an old religious tale of two lovers. I almost hoped to cry during this song. Sunanda Sharma showed us the extremely emotional tone of the Indian vocal tradition. The song was very beautiful and gave me goose bumps all over.

All in all, great show!

By Ivar Eriksen