Millennial twang from chitravina

RAVI KIRAN, the prodigious musician who put the chitraveena on the global music map is doing it again.

He has been invited by the Millennium Grants Commission and Kalasangam for an encore in London on December 12 this year.

The story began early this year when he collaborated with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Kalasangam's ``Global Echoes,'' presented with the Millennium Grants Commission. It was presented in London, Bradford, New Castle and Manchester. This presentation, which embraces the concept of `Arts for everyone,' was selected among the best five in the Millennium Festival in the U.K., from nearly 2000 events. Kalasangam is a multicultural organisation in the UK.

The show will be on at the Tate Modern Gallery, London. The four other projects are: Drummers of Ireland, Pied Pipers, Gospel Choir and A Rock Band. ``Global Echoes'' is the only South Asian project chosen.

This comes close on the heels of his latest effort, `Om Ganesha,' which was premiered in the US in September.

For Chennaiites, Ravikiran is no new name. The chitravina exponent has been giving concerts with the instrument since he was 12, did a full length vocal recital when he was five, made his first professional appearance when he was two and has composed more than 425 pieces in five languages.

He has been featured in major events like the Autumn Festival of France (1985), Radio France International Festival (1987), Cleveland Festival, USA (1994, 1997, 1999, 2000), World Circuit Arts Festival, London (1996), Brisbane International Festival, Australia (1996), Harborfront festival, Toronto (1997), Cal Arts Festival, USA (1999) among others.

He was honoured with his first title at the age of six and has received awards which include Sangeeth Samraat, Kalaimamani, Kumar Gandharva Samman, Sangeetha Choodamani, Chitravina Gana Varidhi, Isai Peroli and Star of India.

By R. K. Radhakrishnan

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