In a rare joint performance, three masters of Indian classical music, Rakesh Chaurasia, Purbayan Chatterjee, and Ojas Adhiya, left Israelis spellbound on Tuesday evening with their crafty mix of soothing melodies.
Part of the ongoing eight-day Jerusalem International Oud Festival, the concert titled ‘Triveni: The Celestial Confluence of Indian Classical Music,’ created a buzz among music lovers in Israel with tickets selling out within hours of its announcement.
“Triveni will offer the meditative spirit, spontaneous improvisations and sweeping rhythm that characterise the great tradition of Indian classical music. The three masters will soar into new realms in a performance that combines tradition and innovation, depth and daring,” a senior member of the organising committee said at the start of the programme.
“It is a unique, one-time experience in which one can hear how the Indian raga and tala melodic structures and rhythmic cycles serve as a musical canvas in the hands of three master artists,” he added.
The highly billed concert did not disappoint the audience, who gave the three maestros an equally ecstatic standing ovation that lasted several long minutes.
“Well, it lived up to our expectations, or even exceeded them. What an experiment with such a phenomenal result,” said Eyal in the audience.
“It (musical extravaganza) celebrates Indian music but also celebrates a very important India-Israel friendship”, Indian embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Sarvjeet Soodan said.
Emphasising the cultural connection and people-to-people bonding between the countries, Soodan said that in the Indian tradition, music is not merely about entertainment but “it is a journey, it is a path”.
“Triveni is a story of that path-the path that the three rivers, represented today by the three artists on flute, sitar and tabla-and the confluence of these three streams is happening in this most beautiful, most ancient city that resembles the confluence of civilisation and faith, Jerusalem,” the DCM said.
For Grammy Award winner Rakesh Chaurasia, who, along with his illustrious uncle Hariprasad Chaurasia, is a clear favourite among Israeli music lovers of Indian music, it was his fifth performance in Israel.
“I love coming back here as the crowd is always warm and welcoming. It has been no different this time,” Chaurasia said, requesting music lovers to keep supporting festivals and artists in an era of AI when a lot of talent keeps disappearing.
Purbayan called Jerusalem one of his favourite places and said that they had a great time walking around the city.
The performance was part of the eight-day Jerusalem International Oud Festival, drawing leading musical talents from all over the world. The festival kicked off on November 5 and will continue until November 12.
Confederation House founded the International Oud Festival in Jerusalem in 2000 in order to celebrate the rich and varied Arab musical heritage that crossed borders and enriched other cultures.
Every year, the festival hosts well-known international artists and produces unique original productions and premieres by Israeli artists.
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Musicians Rakesh Chaurasia, Purbayan Chatterjee and Ojas Adhiya enthral Israelis
