NILADRI KUMAR TO PLAY ON HIS 100 YEAR OLD SITAR FOR ONE LAST TIME BEFORE IT’S AUCTIONED FOR A CAUSE
MUMBAI FIRST PIT STOP, BENGALURU, PUNE, CHENNAI, NAGALAND, TO FOLLOW
An internationally acclaimed and world-renowned global icon to reckon with, 41 year old music maverick, Niladri Kumar who is additionally celebrated as the inventor of the Zitar (Electric Sitar) has announced his 2015-2016 National Tour. The tour is being promoted by Mangal Entertainment in association with MiH Creation. The debut showcase will be held in Mumbai at Shanmukhanda Hall on 30th October 2015 at 7:30 p.m. followed by the other metros in 2016. Joining the Sitar/Zitar maestro on stage for the Mumbai edition will be ace percussionist Taufiq Qureshi, Padma Shri Vijay Ghate on tabla, playback singer and virtuoso guitarist Rashid Ali along with bassist Sheldon DSilva and Prince Mulla on keys.
'Stay UPRooted' in its Mumbai edition celebrates the International Year Of The Girl Child. Niladri Kumar in association with the NGO Vision Rescue (through its Social Group ‘ExploreYou’) and music director Arjun Nair have taken up a 30 day challenge to musically empower a group of 12 girls who have showcased aptitude for music, from the Vasai Orphanage in Mumbai. In their one month challenge they shall train the children and these select talents shall perform and share the stage with the maestros. In each city ExploreYou and team will train such talented kids and funds are being raised to support their musical journey. One child from the Nagaland Training has already shown prodigious talent and after learning in Chennai is now being funded for higher education at ICOM Malaysia. The concept of 'Stay UPRooted' stems from the need of the hour, where one finds a way to carve a bold balance between the modern trends still keeping solid the traditional roots.
Niladri Kumar states, “At present these children have an idenity of being orphans. Music holds such importance that it can transform this identity. The one’s who are blessed with it gain a new identity of now being called a kalakar. Music has the capapcity of being a true and genuine friend and it gives me great joy to see these kids find this friend and enjoy a different outlook that allows them to explore another dimension of their own.“
Earlier this month, Niladri Kumar released “Head To The Heart", a first of its kind edgy instrumental number that featured Rashid Ali on the acoustic guitar.The single marked the debut showcase of the seamless integration of an acoustic instrument with an electric one giving fans a sense of exhilaration. The video was shot at Niladri Kumar’s brand new upcoming all day diner ‘Zitar’ at Oshiwara Andheri, which is slated to open towards year-end.
On the 30th Of October, Stay UPRooted brings to you a unique first of its kind music journey where “tradition meets innovation”. For the FIRST TIME Niladri Kumar will be seen essaying his expedition on all three insruments - The most traditional Surbahar, followed by the Sitar and then the Zitar. The audience can expect something in store for all age groups and it is surely an evening where one can lose and find themselves, through the music.
The legendary player will be auctioning his FIRST ADULT SITAR approximately 100 years old, which is of a Makhanlal make, one of the oldest Sitar makers before the Hiren Roy era. His soundscape & direction into the field kickstarted with this Sitar, marking his musical expedition. Starting from age 8 to age 14 Niladri Kumar used this Sitar before he moved onto his next. A specially curated auction to raise funds for the cause shall be announced soon.
Niladri Kumar adds, “This is my first adult Sitar so I have a very emotional connect with it. It has been musically tuned to my requisite and on 30th I shall be playing one last piece on it, before I part ways with her. This Sitar has been my everything. It's the closest part of me and my journey on this Sitar is what earmarked my path till today. The Sitar is simple, clean, like the Vilayat Khan style of Sitar and the sound it produces is phenomenal. As we take up this cause today, of teaching music to the underprivileged who show an aptitude & excellence in the field who we can groom forward, my journey of music started with this Sitar & I hope their journey starts with it too.”
ABOUT NILADRI KUMAR
Kumar’s musical catalogue besides honing a body of work of more than 10 independent albums, also extends beyond his vast knowledge in Indian classical music, with his magical fingers making a mark in Bollywood as well, with his resplendent preludes and interludes in popular tracks like Crazy Kiya Re, Sun Raha Hai, Aashique 2, Baahubali, Bunty Aur Babli, Desi Boyz, Chup Chup Ke and so on.
Kumar has received much acclaim over the years. Along with receiving various awards, most significantly, he won the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for ‘Hindustani Instrumental Music’ in 2007. It is the highest accolade for any practicing artist. Coming from a long lineage of great sitar masters, Kumar will continue producing some electrifying music. His fusion style appeals to all generations, young and old as he calls it “The Age Un-Gap” His genius sounds will inevitably take Indian music to heights that his predecessors could never have imagined.
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