Do you still carry the joy that first led you to play with Ustad Zakir Hussain ? Does it still drive your music ?
Yes , absolutely . Beyond music , what are the art forms , causes , and ideas that you value these days ?
The visual arts , dance , the amazing scientific discoveries being made , and poetry .
USTAD ZAKIR HUSSAIN
On your 50th anniversary tour , you ’ ll have thousands of dedicated fans rejoicing along . But for those who find Shakti for the first time in their lives , what would you say ?
Shakti is more than just the incredible music it generates . It is a noholds-barred sharing of love , of space , of cultures , of respect , reverence , a heady concoction , our hearts beating as one , our minds thinking as one , no fences , no barriers , no hesitation , just the joy and bliss of an impossible union in these times .
THAT IS WHAT I WOULD ASK THE NEWBIES TO PLUG INTO .
After 50 years , do you still keep finding new experiences playing with your fellow musicians in this quintet ? Could you give us a glimpse into that ?
Shakti as described in the previous answer , does not just rely on prefixed ideas . We , as both the Jazz and Indian traditions demand , believe in spontaneity , so the music has the chance to blossom within the thought of this moment . That thought will include all of us putting on the table our experiences ( musical and otherwise ) within Shakti and away from Shakti . Thus new ideas and fresh elements emerge .
What has been your greatest moment , on stage or off , with Shakti ?
The brotherhood of this way of life , the happiness of experiencing this complete moment of creative independence , the wonder of arriving together at this moment of deep spiritual revelation and understanding night after night . Priceless !!
GANESH RAJAGOPALAN
Would you give us some insight into your new album ? What story does it tell ?
The new album is a culmination of what Shakti has done for 50 years . I feel honored to be part of it and play a small role .
Given that each member is scattered across the world , immersed in their own musical pursuits , how do you find the time to converse , collaborate , and create new music ?
The process of recording the new album was exciting . Being new to the group I was hanging on to every word of what John ji , Zakir ji , Shankar ji , and Selva ji would say . For me , it was important to execute their plan . At the same time , give my ideas through my instrument .
You once said , “ When I play a raga , I will play it like a story .” What stories are you weaving with the new album ?
Instrumental music is great because when I play a raga the audience can have their own story revealed in front of them . It is all about having an immersive experience because it is not the same every time I play . It is the story of that moment of experience that both the artist and the art lover go through .
What are the most strident difficulties of playing an actual instrument in an autotune world ? Do you still feel like enough people have time for the nuances and stunning complexities of a Carnatic violin ?
Live performances can never replace recordings . Both will remain parallel to each other , etching memories for the future . People are always in search of new music , both
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