Music is a universal language of love. In a bizarre instance, the love for bamboo has now connected the musician of two countries in New Delhi. From Western Ghats of India to heart shaped island country Taiwan- the musicians of from both the sides have endeavoured to spread message to people “conserve bamboo” through a Kerala — Taiwan music fusion.
Connected through a Facebook page ‘Indian Bamboo Forum’, musicians of both countries mesmerised Delhiites with their beautiful composition, derived from the popular Malayali folk song Vallamkali last week at the Delhi International Art Festival in the ramparts of historic Purana Quila. Incredibly, musical instruments by Western Ghats inhabitants made out by bamboo set the atmosphere. “The artistes have the connectivity to discover music and connect themselves with the resources to discover music. My team has tried and developed music using bamboo sticks,” said Unnikrishan, music director of the forum.
Wu, another legend music composer and coordinator of the Indo-Taiwan event said that the event epitomised real time culture sharing moments. “It was altogether a very different experience for all of us. While composing the music, we found a sense of variation and liberty in Indian music as compared to ours which I term as reserved,” Wu mentioned. Using the bamboo instruments like Ding-Dong, Bourimba, Slapping Bamboo, Flute, Cheing and other traditional instruments, the team of nine Taiwanese musicians matched their composition well with the Indian Malayali folk songs.
luo, a music director from Taiwan said that the interesting part of this Indo-Taiwan music art was the kind of experiment. “I used to listen the Malayali music and there was an urge to discover something new which should be liked by the people of both the countries which are culturally and emotionally likewise,” said luo.
Sharing his view on Indian music, another Taiwan artist Jipo said that Indian music and artistes are inspired from nature. “India, the vast nation has religious, cultural and historical significance. One can find the connectivity of music with nature in Indian music which really attracts the other countries towards this nation,” said Jipo.
While popular Kumar Ramu engaged the audience with his long lasting stage performance in Malyali, bamboo craft lover, Pakkana, said that he and his team developed and compose the music from bamboo-made instruments. “Through our composition, we want to spread the message to save bamboo. It is more than a stick. It is an inspiration because perhaps, we discovered music from bamboo,” he concluded.