Music and Books release at Chennai December Music Festival

SHRUTI & SAHANA, Twins born in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, have been learning carnatic music, since they were six. They had their initial tutelage from Smt. Sudha Raghunathan (Muscat) adisciple of the Late Shri. Calcutta Krishnamurthy. They had the privilege of taking guidance from Dr Bombay Jayashri Ramnath for six years. Currently they are learning from the Kalakshetra faculty and senior disciple of Sangeetha Kala Acharya Shri: P.S. Narayanaswamy, Shri. A.K.S. Murali.

The twins, who are Masters in Music Production Technology & Innovation and Global Entertainment & Music Business respectively, from Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA (Valencia Campus). As part of their Post Masters’ fellowship they embarked upon a research project on the compositions created by Shri. Muttuswami Deekshitar one of the Musical Trinity of South Indian Classical Music 225 years ago (circa 1795). These compositions were inspired by the Irish Celtic Music and British Airs played by the army band of the British East India Company in Madras Presidency.They recorded and had a live performance of six of these compositions as part of their culminating experience of the Masters.

In continuation of the project they have put together a coffee table book outlining the history and evolution of these compositions, along with the lyrics, notations of the music in staff notation as well as carnatic music notations. They are also coming up with a children’s book and also an audio album of these compositions recorded by them at Berklee with international musicians.This is expected to be a product with a Global reach, which will bring to light the beauty of this long lost musical treasure to the world.It will also highlight the cross genre influences as early as 225 years ago, in a conservative era. These compositions can be easily imbibed and performed by children world over of ages between 6 & 16. Also coffee table book has a good coverage about British East India Company.

It is planned to release of the Music and Books at the world renowned “Chennai December Music Festival”, on Saturday December 23.12.2017 at 2.45 PM by Dy. High Commissioner of Great Britain, Chennai by His Excellency Bharat Joshi. Guests of Honour are Mr. Clint Valaderes, Managing Director, Berklee College of Music, India Exchange, Padma Bhushan Shri. T.H. Vinayakaram, and Padmashri. Dr. Prof. S.R. Janaki Raman. This will be followed by a performance of these compositions by Shruti & Sahana along with Rasika Shekar on Flute and Maegan Pandian on Harp and A.R.Rahman’s KM Conservatory’s String Quintet and their percussion ensemble at Chennayil Thiruvaiyaru, Kamarajar Arangam, Anna Salai, Chennai.

Guests for the event will be well respected high ranked artists of Indian Classical Music, and the Film Industry, Dignitaries, Ambassadors, Consul Generals from Missions in Chennai, and musically attuned Executives from Chennai Corporate World.