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A melange of East and West

29 August 2005, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Kavita Charanji
29 August 2005, 18:00 PM
Martin (L), along with Joanne and Gabriella (R) rendering a song. PHOTO: STAR
Indian Cultural Centre, August 28: As the recorded music plays, the mellifluous notes transport one to a higher plane. The Chinese song, translated in English means 'See you' and it was sung by the late Chinese singer Gao Feng. What makes it unique is that the bass player is from Russia, the assistant manager is Iranian, the backup singers hail from Sweden and Austria, the guitar player is from Germany, an American plays the drums and a Canadian plays percussion. "This melting pot of artistes from all corners of the globe is exactly what we try to achieve," says Martin Keating, principal and director of London Music School (LMS), who is in Dhaka to promote London Film and Music School (LFMS). He was speaking at the function aimed at popularising LFMS' fusion film and music course. The organisation, he explains, is rooted in the work of dedicated musicians, upcoming filmmakers and cultural activists hailing from East London's Asian communities in tandem with the renowned London Music School (LMS).

Kumar Murshid, chairperson LFMS Board, echoes Keating's views. As he says "We strive to promote the concept of cross cultural music and filmmaking. The first thing we have to understand in terms of the situation in Britain and Europe is that our presence in the global cultural arena is far too limited--whether film or music. One of our objectives that we have is to make a difference to that. That is why we have put together what we think is quite unique an integrated one year film and music course."

Subsequently a musical show got off the ground. Mostly pop, it was interspersed with one jazz number and sarod, the last played by Ustad Wajahat Khan, artistic director of Indian Classical Music. For the wide eyed younger ones who go for mush, Martin as lead vocalist sang I really love you. Along with playing the keyboard he has written the song, which was accompanied with vocals from Gabriella Jangfeldt and Joanne Kemp. The duo then sang Forever waiting (a jazz number), Variety and Sleeping with the enemy.

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There was a touch of the East as well. With Bangladeshi composer Dilly on the tabla, Gabrielle and Martin on the keyboards, Dr FF Muksed Hemel of Bangladeshi origin, and an associate of LMS, launched into Shorbonashi premer aguney.

At the fag end of the programme, Utad Wajahat Khan gave an impressive performance on the sarod. Khan played the raga Charu kesi.

What about the response from the Bangladeshi audience? In Joanne's view, "We had a very good response on the subcontinent. Mumbai, where we went earlier, was mad but I loved the madness. I prefer it here where things are less hectic. It is important to us to understand Bangladeshi culture and music because we will work with Bangladeshis in LFMS."

The evening was a celebration of fusion music. Events like this will go a long way in bridging East and West.

Brotee (Communications), along with media partners, The Daily Star and Channel i, organised the programme.