Tabla Ecstasy & Taan: Classical Indian Music and World Fusion

TABLA ECSTASY

TAAN WORLD FUSION

One thing I have really enjoyed in India is, of course, the music. The depth of Indian classical music is mind boggling and there is a great variety of modern fusion. Whether picking up some CDs you can only get in India, listening to Sarang and Kinna practice the Tabla and Indian flute, random street music, or an exceptional concert, I have enjoyed my variety of musical experiences. Early in February, we went to a great concert with a unique Tabla ensemble and a world fusion group. Its funny how interconnected people are within Indian society. I learned of the concert through casual contact with Heena Patel (I met her through her sister Sejal, who is a good friend of my brother and cousins in Chicago); Heena is living in Ahmadabad right now, devoting herself to learning the art of Tabla, is a disciple of the Guru that composed half the show, and MC'd the evening. Sarang and Kinna were going to the same concert as their music teacher was in the fusion band. So somehow from Chicago to Wisconsin to rural South Carolina, a little group of us converged in Ahmadabad, India that night for a world class musical performance at Ellis Bridge Gymkhana. It was a great night of music with an audience ranging from teenagers to adults to senior citizens.

Tabla Ecstacy is very unique tabla ensemble with four awesome tabla players. It was amazing to see them completely synchronized while playing such intricate pieces. I think the best part though was watching how much fun they were having while playing. Check out the "ecstasy" of the guy all the way to the right starting at around 45 seconds. I don't know if my camera could quite capture the awesome faces he made while playing, but it was great. Check out their site:
www.myspace.com/tablafusion

Taan is world fusion group that blended classical Indian elements with modern variations of instruments (like the electric sitar) and music from all over (you could hear influences from the Middle East, South America, tropical islands, Goa, and even Ireland, among others). There was this really old Indian man on the drums that was crazy, and the electric sitar was really something else to see! Check out their site:
www.myspace.com/taanworldfusion

Their general site for more information is www.rrmproductions.com

The videos at the top aren't the best quality, I took them on a pretty standard digital camera, but check out their website if you like their music.