At Blackstone Field on Saturday, June 15, we enjoyed an exquisite concert of classical Indian music in the Hindustani tradition, with Matthew Rahaim (vocals), Srinivas Reddy (sitar), Suhail Yusuf Khan (sarangi), and Yogesh Karale (tabla).
Srinivas and Yogesh introduced a new raga with elements of the Hindustani Raga Saraswati and the Carnatic Raga Shree. It was unnamed until an audience member suggested naming it Blackstone. They chose Kalakal, a newly coined Indian name that combines Sanskrit and Tamil and means Blackstone. The raga is contemplative and mystical in nature and can be played at any time of day or night. For an excerpt please click here.
Then Matt, Suhail and Yogesh performed three ragas. The first raga was Marwa, a sunset raga full of yearning. Matt sang the classic khyal “Piya More Anat” (“My love is elsewhere”) and a lively tarana “Tana Udana Deem Tanana Tadaare Taare.” The second raga was Bihag, a sweet evening raga. Matt sang the khyals “Kaise Sukh Sove” (“How am I supposed to sleep?”) and “Jhoom Jhaam Dhoom Dhaam.” He ended with a devotional Hori in Rag Kafi, “Aaj Khelo Shyaama Sang Hori.” (“Come play Holi with Shyaam.”) Suhail Yusuf Khan offered beautiful sangat-sath on the Sarangi, taking many expansive solos of his own.
Matthew Rahaim and Srinivas Reddy are also distinguished as scholars, and kindly shared with us the above descriptions of the ragas they performed.
Srinivas will be back at Blackstone Field on Saturday, June 29, for more early evening ragas. Ajit Acharya will be his partner on the tabla.
