This Durga puja, Kolkata-based troupe Violina is presenting new renditions of raga Kirwani and Bhopali accompanied with a fusion of Kathak and Bharatanatyam.By Iknoor Kaur
While many consider violin orchestration a Western phenomenon in India, music director Ranen Sinha and his choreographer wife Krishna like to differ. Their Kolkata-based troupe Violina came here four years ago and floored the audience with their one-of-a-kind concept of fusing violin orchestration with Indian classical dance like Kathak and Bharatanatyam. This Durga Puja, they are back to the city with a group of 14 people. “Our idea is to present our cultural heritage to the general public by mixing classical with semi classical music and dance. It is a collage of Indian dance merged with expressive tunes of the violin,” shared Ranen.
Violina started as a result of the tsunami that hit Asia in 2004. The destruction, human pain and suffering inspired Ranen and Krishna. They felt that they could express any emotion through music and dance. “I have always believed that from joy to sorrow everything can be expressed through violin,” he added.
The troupe will be performing at different places in Vasant Kunj, Faridabad and Munirka from today till October 13 as a part of the Durga Puja celebrations. Violina’s orchestration will mix North and South Indian classical music with Rabindra Sangeet and popular modern songs as well. Ranen explained, “We will be doing one Tagore song. It is an East-West fusion reflected in raga Kirwani. Another piece will be My Heart, a mix of Western and Indian music accompanied with a mix of Kathak and Bharatanatyam.”
Ranen has also prepared a new composition for this show called Dil Hum Hum Kare which “is a classic example of raga Bhopali and will be accompanied by Kathak.”
He will also be mixing and matching various compositions. “We will be mixing Kishore da’s song Mere Naina with Mukesh ji’s Jaane Kahaan Gaye Woh Din. We will use instruments like tabla, santoor and synthesizer for percussion. Another track that we have created is called Devotion. This is a collage of Indian and classical songs. It is a five-minute-long piece and has a mix of songs like Payoji Maine, Vaishno Vajanto, Hare Krishna, Om Jai Jagdeesh and Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,” said Ranen.
Ranen and Krishna will also be doing a sawaal-jawaab session. “It is called Taal Bandhu and will be a progressive interactive session that will end with a collision of sorts,” said Krishna.
Violina has also incorporated a scholarship programme with the Ministry of Culture wherein few children training in Hindustani music are given a platform. Delhi students enrolled under this are Upama Sinha, Mugdha Basu and Hindola Sinha.