Jyotsna Srikanth Trio
St James the Less, Leith - 17/11/23
Jyotsna Srikanth, violin and electronics | Shadrach Solomon, keyboards and electronics, live sampling | Karthik Mani, drums and percussion | Srikanth Shrama, vocals
The word ‘fusion’ is often still received guardedly or fearfully by discerning music audiences. But in a digital cultural context where musicians and listeners alike absorb far more sonic influences than they probably realise, it has become an inevitable feature of what is sometimes still rather parochially referred to as ‘world music’.
Thankfully, this trio (plus one), South Indian virtuosos all, approach their instrumental and compositional blending with an unalloyed and unapologetic joy. Led by Bangalore-originating and now London-based violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, they seamlessly weave the deep traditions of Carnatic classical music, ragas from both South and North India, Hindi film music, jazz, electronica and popular music from across the globe into a fresh, inviting and often dazzling whole.
Initially, the melodies and textures seem light and rooted in western harmony. But then the eastern tonalities, diverse sound samples and richly unconventional sonorities ooze through. At one moment we are absorbed by an ancient raga theme. The next moment the Trio are leaning into Bollywood, haunting instrumental balladry, jazz-rock, or yet another multi-tracked soundscape on top of which Jyotsna Srikanth will lay streams of notes, sometimes channelled through further electronic layers. Her sound world is distinctive and fascinating.
This evening the first half of the concert was dedicated to the Shakthi project, which has also been captured on CD. Styled as “contemporary Indian tunes composed during lockdown”, ‘shakthi’ means ‘strength’ in Sanskrit, and that is what the album seeks to convey. However, strength here does not mean force. It is more about musical suppleness and human adaptability in the face of change. This was the necessity and experience of many during the pandemic, and it is these qualities that the seven tracks which comprise the album (‘Canter’, ‘Pantuvarali’, ‘Fear’, ‘Nostalgia’, ‘Motherland’, ‘Uncertain Future’ and ‘Reconciliation’) seek to convey in a predominantly wordless song-cycle form.
In addition to Jyotsna Srikanth on her pentatonic-tuned South Indian violin and a multitude of pedal-triggered effects, tonight’s band featured Karthik Mani on drums and percussion (especially the ghatam) and doyen music producer Shadrach Solomon on keyboard and electronics. Mani offered complex polyrhythms over an orienting backbeat. Srikanth sang on top of her own recorded harmonies at one point (in ‘Motherland’) and Solomon triggered a variety of electronic pre-sets, splitting his keyboard manual into two or three sections on occasions. It all flowed apparently effortlessly, but the amount of detail and coordination was remarkable – for the sound desk as well as from the performers.
From time-to-time Jyotsna Srikanth and Karthik Mani would punctuate proceedings (or allow time for retuning) by introducing their instruments and noting key features of different Indian musical traditions. The second half of an absorbing concert began with two dedicated ragas (the second themed around a topical inquisition of war and conflict) featuring sparkling vocalist Srikanth Sharma, who joined the group on stage at that point. The succeeding instrumental tune contained strong echoes of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and was followed by an astonishingly dexterous, varied and climactic improvised percussion solo.
Karthik Mani demonstrated the ghatam with reverence and enthusiasm. One of India’s most ancient and venerable instruments, this is a large clay pot with a narrow mouth which slants outwards to form a ridge. It is played with all parts of the hand and is incredibly demanding to get any sound out of, let alone the richly pitched fusillade Mani was able to produce.
The evening ended with two contrasting tunes. A fast one which was actually based on a fifteenth century raga, and a gentle lullaby with Celtic-sounding inflections. Jyotsna Srikanth tours Europe with various ensembles, collaborations and projects. The Edinburgh concert was part of a short trip around England and Scotland also taking in Reading, Aberdeen, Bracknell and London. Her kaleidoscopic music is well worth catching or investigating if you can.
