Recording session: Tarang

Today I conducted a recording session with four members of the Tarang ensemble - the UK’s National Ensemble for Indian Music. All members of the ensemble are early-career musicians performing Hindustani (North Indian) or Carnatic (South Indian) music.

I was particularly keen to work with the two vocalists of the ensemble -  Raaheel Husain and Yarlinie Thanabalasingham as a means of capturning the differences between Carnatic and Hindustani vocal styles and techniques. A wide range of pitches, motifs, scales and fragments from pieces were recorded along with Q&A sessions with each performer. 

I was also able to record two veena performers from the ensemble - Shyla Shanmugalingam and Mithila Sarma. I was particularly drawn to the dramatic note 'pulling' on this instruments and the finger pick playing technique. 
Many thanks to the all the performers I worked with today for their beautiful playing and contributions to the project. 

Top: Tarang ensemble at the Bridgewater Hall (20th Oct 2012), bottom left: Yarlinie Thanabalasingham, bottom centre: Raaheel Husain, bottom right: Shyla Shanmugalingam