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Rich tapestry: (from top left) The Pakistani duo, Fateh Ali Khan and Rustum Ali Khan, Sikkil Gurucharan and Anil Srinivasan, Mrigya, Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Hariharan and Mandolin Shrinivas, the Lim, Trilok Gurtu, Selvaganesh, Vikku Vinayakram and Prasanna.

One look at the programme and the doubts are cleared. The Friday Review November Fest does promise to satisfy both orthodox and avant-garde tastes. It was never the intention of the November Fest does to compete with other festivals in the city. It is developing a character of its own with out-of-the-way choices. But a Chennai Fest without classical music?

This year the Fest is launched with a recital by Pakistani vocalists Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and son Rustam Fateh Ali Khan. In undivided India, the former was acclaimed for his partnership with his (late) brother Amanat Ali Khan. Their Patiala gharana was long known to Chennai through the genius of its great star. Rival vidwans of this city, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and G.N.Balasubramiam, had been united in their love for Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. . The last repository of the purest in the Patiala tradition, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan will be singing in Chennai for the first time.

Impeccable classicism is represented also by pandits Rajan and Sajan Mishra of the Benares Gharana. Trained by their father Hanuman Mishra and by sarangi veteran Gopalprasad Mishra, their unswerving allegiance to tradition usually avoids even lighter essays. Their strong, masculine music appeals to newcomers as well as old timers. Their music making is characterised by an instinctive coordination and the smooth flow of improvisation.

The pair that launched the heady padam-piano blend in their riveting album ‘Madirakshi,’ bring youthful romance to the November Fest. Sikkil Gurucharan, the vocalist of the acclaimed flautist family, and accomplished western pianist/ composer Anil Srinivasan, conjure up a fresh vision in “Colour of Rain.” This concert is a premier of their new work, which is likely to be made into their second album.

This time, they have experimented with additional western and Indian instruments. Colour of Rain has Murad Ali Khan (Sarangi), Mysore V Srikanth (violin) and B.S. Purushotthaman (kanjira) to enrich the tapestry.

Mandolin Shrinivas is joined by Ghazal supremo Hariharan. The prodigy from remote Palakol, Andhra Pradesh, is a world celebrity, having made the mandolin a household word. Trained in both Carnatic and Hindustani modes, Hariharan won his spurs in the fields of ghazal and nazm. His perfect Urdu diction and feeling for lyrics flow into his sensitive melodising in chart topping songs and albums. November Fest audiences have enjoyed the music of western classical groups and fusion bands. This year centre stages an unusual entry—a Korean Crossover Band. Their lyrical name ‘Lim’ (Forest) suggesting the kind of music they make, this Asian band blends Korean traditional and modern world music to evoke a singularly lilting experience. The music emphasises the natural sounds to arrive at new contrasts and tonal diversities. The Lim has charmed audiences in many nations, and comes to Chennai for the first time with the support of InKo Centre, which aims at promoting inter-cultural understanding between Korea and India, and the Korea Foundation, an affiliate of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea.

‘Let’s raag’ is the mantra of Mrigya, the Delhi-based band that blends Hindustani classical, folk, funk, pop, jazz, Latin and rock to create their brand of world music. Evolving a sound culture of its own, Mrigya’s strains are a spontaneous response to life in the global village. The November Fest introduces their music – live - for the first time in the city. The event ends in a rhythmic bang with a unique combination featuring Trilok Gurtu, the famous Germany-based percussionist, Chennai’s irrepressible Vikku Vinayakram on the ghatam, the innovative U.S-based Prasanna on the guitar and Selvaganesh on the kanjira. This fusion concert promises to be exciting finale to this veritable musical feast.

Nov 10

Ustad Fateh Ali Khan & Rustam Fateh Ali Khan – Classical Raga

Nov 11

Sikkil Gurcharan & Anil Srinivasan – Contemporary Indian Classical

Nov 12

Rajan & Sajan Mishra – Hindustani

Classical

Nov 15

Hariharan & Mandolin Shrinivas – Ghazal Bandi

Nov 16

Mrigya – Fusion

Nov 17

The Lim – Traditional Crossover

Nov 18

Trilok Gurtu, Prasanna, Vikku Vinayakram, Selvaganesh – Indian Fusion

Tickets can be purchased online at www.thehindu.com/novemberfest from October 26th.

Tickets will be available from November 1 onwards at the Music Academy (between 11 am and 8 pm) and Landmark outlets at Nungambakkam, Spencer Plaza and CitiCentre. Individual tickets are priced at Rs. 500, Rs. 300 and Rs. 100.

Season tickets at Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 1500. Within denominations, seating is on a first come first served basis.

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