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News 2008 July 2007 The Asian Music Circuit is extremely honoured to have THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE PRINCE OF WALES and THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL visit the AMC's innovative multi media Asian Music Centre - the first of its kind in UK - on Wednesday 2nd July 2008. Their Royal Highnesses will visit the museum of musical instruments with its interactive touch screens providing information about the instruments in audio-visual format. They will also see the "sound beam chamber" with the variety of North Indian ragas and associated visuality and films on Chinese and Japanese music. They will also see the AMC's newly installed "VIRTUAL GURU" - an inspirational way of engaging with ragas through sound waves and "maps". Their Royal Highnesses will see a workshop with children conducted by the superb singer and kathak dancer BIRESHWAR GAUTAM, who will be teaching the children about the art of "abhinaya" with the vocal style of thumri. They will be shown the AMC's archive of about 600-700 hours of audio-visual recordings. The AMC's team and Trustees will be presented to The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall as will AMC's sponsors HSBC BANK PLC and Cox & Kings Travel Ltd. The ASIAN MUSIC CIRCUIT has always been at the forefront of the promotion of Asian music through expertly curated tours , outreach education programmes , summer and winter schools and UK's first multimedia resource centre for Asian Music. 2007 October 2007 On Friday 28th September 2007 , the Asian Music Circuit formally launched its new multi media resource centre the - ASIAN MUSIC CENTRE. As many people said , it was a brilliant evening with a variety of superb music that is typical of AMC's creative artistic programming. South Indian music played on two NADASWARAM and THAVIL provided a fitting opening for this auspicious occasion especially as this music and these instruments are so deeply connected with the temples of South India. Peter Wiegold and his group called FERGHANA with musicians from Uzbekistan played immediately after the welcome speech, followed by Qiu Zhenghui who played the Chinese ERHU, Unnati and Spiritual Junction all in the specially constructed marquee and last performance was by the great Indian flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia in the beautiful MUSIC ROOM of the new Centre. BBC Radio 3 World Routes were present and recorded the music and the flute recital went out on BBC3 World Routes on Saturday 6th October 2007 introduced by Lucy Duran. This can still be heard on their website. Earlier in the afternoon, there was a workshop of Japanese TAIKO drumming as part of the Mayor of London's OPEN REHEARSAL initiative and this event was open to the public. In Partnership with Acton Arts Forum, there was an exhibition of paintings by local artists Prafubala; Hardip Dhanjal exhibited some of his excellent photographs tracing the history of British Asian music which enabled people to actually hear the music of the artist in the photograph through small MP3 players.The evening was given an additional sparkle with the making of fresh Indian "jalebi" in the marquee which everyone enjoyed with other savoury snacks. The Centre looked very impressive with its growing audio-visual archive of some 400 hours of material, display cabinets housing a collection of musical instruments from all over Asia, and the magical sound beam and film chamber which showed short films on music from India, China and Japan. The guests enjoyed "playing" with the sound beams which along with visual displays and changing colours provided an "insight" into various North Indian "ragas". Pt. Hariprasad found the MUSIC ROOM to be a very inspiring place to perform with the audience seated around him on the carpeted floor in the traditional "BAITHAK" style. Greg Dyke thought the place was "truly brilliant". Virendra Sharma MP and Mrs Hazel Ware - Mayoress of Ealing were equally impressed and fascinated by the innovative resource created by the AMC as were all the other guests. COBRA BEER very generously provided the beer and wine and SUNCREST JUICES provided the delicious soft drinks. The Centre will hold seminars and workshops on a variety of subjects in Asian music for children as well as adults. Small scale recitals will be held, and members of the public can - by appointment - come and enjoy the facilities.The Centre is also available for people to practice in small groups and attend "listening "sessions. The AMC is grateful to Arts Council England, London for its continued support for the work of the Asian Music Circuit through its annual grant as an RFO but also through the Arts Capital Lottery Award with which the new Centre was developed. Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia thought the AMC's new Center was an outstanding MONUMENT to Asian music and that people would be able to see it and enjoy it for many many years in the future. See a quicktime movie of this event : download here.
Virendra sharma MP and Hazel Ware - Mayoress of Ealing and other guests
TAIKO drumming workshop
Lucy Duran introducing Hariprasad Chaurasia
Hariprasad Chaurasia and audience in the MUSIC ROOM of the new Centre
NADASWARAM and Thavil
PETER WIEGOLD and FERGHANA
Guests at the launch
Qiu Zheng Hui playing ERHU
UNNATI and SPIRITUAL JUNCTION July 2007 The period May/June/July has been one of the busiest times for the AMC with four superb tours/events with concerts from Cornwall to Scotland - Shehnai Ensemble, Folk music from Rajasthan, wonderful qawali with the Nizami and Niyazi brothers and finally another highly successful AMC summer school - celebrating its 10th anniversary ! The AMC produced a concert on the 22nd July 2007 at the Barbican of surprising and wonderful variety ! Ustad Ghulam Ali the ghazal singer performed in the first half and in the second half the legendary master of Kathak Pt Birju Maharaj enthralled the almost full house with his inimitable art. The second half was made all the more unusual because the fabulous khyal singers Rajan and Sajan Misra not only sang their individual item but sang with Pt Birju Maharaj's dance - the first time this has happened in the UK - although this event has been shown in India several times. The variety, and excellence of the music and dance made for a magical evening with many people from the audience wondering how such a unique idea developed and wanted more !! On the previous day Ustad Zakir Hussain presented an evening at the Nehru Centre organised by his sister in which there was a film and discussion to celebrate the life of their father Ustad Allah Rakha Khan the famous tabla player. As interesting as it was some members of the audience were left a little puzzled as it was suggested that Ustad Allah Rakha Khan was the first tabla player to develop solo performance for tabla. This appeared to dismiss the contribution of great masters like Ustad Thirakhwa Khan, Habibuddin Khan, Amir Hussain, Pt. Kante Maharaj to name a few and in fact ignoring entirely the great solo traditions of Delhi- Ajrada- Farrukhabad - Varanasi. Names such as Annokhelal, Shamta Prasad also come to mind. Could it have been that the emotion of the occasion took over on that day? The atmosphere at this years summer school was wonderful - with the AMC providing lovely Gujarati lunch everyday from that excellent caterer- Pradips. Everyone who bought lunch thoroughly enjoyed it. The recitals of Chinese and Japanese music were outstanding and the audience figures were well up on last year. For the first time it was felt that the audiences for Chinese and Japanese music and tuition were beginning to relate the AMC to this specific area and were now beginning to attend both the summer school as well as the concerts in better numbers.There is still a lot more work to be done! Unfortunately some people had to be turned away from the concert of dhrupad and thumri as the hall was full! The performance given by Bireshwar Gautam of thumri and abhinaya was just outstanding generating an atmosphere extremely rarely experienced in the UK and much closer to the "courts" and "music rooms" of great houses and palaces of INDIA. This is music that should not be missed as this art form is dying and performed by very very few people and hardly anyone of Bireshwar Gautams standing. The seminar given by Anindya Bannerjee on the SAROD was another outstanding feature of the summer school. The aim of such seminars is to give the participants an experience and open doors to a world beyond their own particular discipline. Anindya - who is a master of his instrument - has done a lot of research on the subject of the sarod and its development. His talk was illustrated with slides and audio recordings and was fascinating as were the old recordings he used as illustrations. The enthusiasm at the summer school this year was such that there was a clear demand for the AMC to hold a mid-term school and not leave such a long gap of a year before the next summer school. It takes a huge effort to put on such an event and all praise goes to the AMC education team and helpers for a superb effort. Till next time..... March 2007 The AMC launches its first tour to see parts of India through its music. With its partners Cox & Kings Travel - UK's leading tour operator to that country. Learn more about the life of music in India on the tour 24th Nov to 7th Dec 2007. A journey not to be missed ! see the flyer..... February 2007 Viram Jasani of the Asian Music Circuit has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of York. The degree - DUniv - will be conferred upon him at a ceremony at the University of York in March 2007. The degree is awarded in recognition of Viram's achievements and his contribution to our society in the field of music. Viram feels deeply honoured and says that it is also a significant recognition of the work of the Asian Music Circuit and the importance of the music of Asia in our society.He won the Asian Achievers Award in 2003 in the Arts and Culture category. The AMC won the prestigious HSBC Indo-British Award in 2003. Viram is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Commerce and Manufactures (FRSA). Read Viram Jasani's graduation ceremony speech here... January 2007 Pandits Rajan and Sajan Misra - the great KHYAL singers from Varanasi will be honoured by the Indian Government with the titles of PADMA BHUSHAN in March 2007. This award is seen as a recognition of their very unique and outstanding contribution to the world of Indian classical music. Their steadfast loyalty to the great traditions of Indian classical music is to be praised in a world where such traditions are being lost to a process of Westernisation in a fusion of world music. We hope that it is also a recognition of just how marvellous Indian classical music is ! The AMC congratulates Rajan Misra and his brother Sajan Misra on their wonderful achievement. 2006 May 2006 The Asian Music Circuit is delighted announce that it has made an agreement with the Cox & Kings Travel - one of the worlds leading travel companies. Cox & Kings have very generously agreed to sponsor the AMC over the next three years. An exciting aspect of the new partnership is the setting up of tours to Asian countries to see these countries through the music. The specialist itineraries are being set up by the AMC and all tour logistics will be handled by the long experienced Cox & Kings Travel. The first tour is proposed for January 2007 to India, it is hoped that this will soon be followed by tours to China, South East Asia and Central Asia. WATCH THIS SPACE for announcements of dates and also visit the website of Cox & Kings on www.coxandkings.co.uk Asian Music Centre The AMC is pleased to announce that building and design work on its new Asian Music Centre has been completed and the creation of the exciting audio-visual database of Asian music is underway with material being programmed to allow the visitor to enjoy the innovative concept. Workshops are now being arranged at the Centre. Please visit the education and resource centre pages for details. 2005 Royal Albert Hall to host Pakistan Earthquake Appeal concert Tuesday 13 December 2005 As winter tightens its grip on the region struck by the recent earthquake in Pakistan with 75,000+ fatalities recorded and several million families displaced, Asia House and the Asian Music Circuit, in association with the Pakistan Britain Trade & Investment Forum (PBTIF), present a major Pakistan Earthquake Appeal concert and dazzling fashion show at London 's Royal Albert Hall. Up to 5,000 tickets will be available from £10-£35 for this unique opportunity to hear music by world class South Asian musicians and see the latest designs by high street fashion retailer Monsoon in a glamorous catwalk show with Liza B, model and actress. The event is also supported by Nina Wadia, actress and star of ‘Goodness Gracious Me'. The Pakistan High Commissioner, Her Excellency Maleeha Lodhi, has pledged her support and a distinguished guest list from the worlds of politics, diplomacy, business, culture and media celebrities will also be involved. Television presenter Michael Palin says, “ Having seen and admired the tenacious way of life and whole-hearted hospitality of the mountain people of Pakistan , I urge you to join me in giving continued support to the earthquake relief effort”. Stefan Kosciuszko, Chief Executive of Asia House and Viram Jasani of Asian Music Circuit say, “We are delighted to work with the Pakistan High Commission, the PBTIF, The Monsoon Trust and all of the Indian and Pakistani artists and sponsors to stage this vibrant event combining business and culture. Please join us and show a meaningful demonstration of UK public support and sympathy to the people of Pakistan .” All net proceeds will be equally donated to The President's Fund, Islamic Relief, Learning for Life and the Eidhi Foundation. Musicians include: Ghulam Ali – one of the world's most influential ghazal singers Nizami Brothers and Taufiq Niazi – this qawwali group from Old Delhi perform songs in the traditional classical style accompanied by harmonium, tabla and dhol. Qawwali has its origins in the songs of praise of Sufiism GARAJ – Waseem Niaz, Imran Ahmed and Karam Abbas fuse classical Pakistani sound with Western music Sajjad Ali – and his Crazy Band – sings and plays contemporary Pakistani classical and pop music Gauri Sharma and her group perform an innovative interpretation of the ancient Indian kathak dance form Tuesday 13 December 2005, 7.15pm Royal Albert Hall, (address) Box office 020 7589 8212, www.royalalberthall.com Tickets £10 - £35 For further press information and images please contact Lucy Wilson, Theresa Simon Communications 020 7629 9645 lucy@theresasimon.com or Natasha Singh, Sterling Media 020 7801 0077 Asia House promotes understanding of Asian cultures, economies and societies from its new public headquarters at 63 New Cavendish Street , London W1. For further information on Asia House please contact Helen Whiteoak or Natasha Aziz 020 7307 5454 The Asian Music Circuit is the UK 's leading company promoting the music of Asia alongside an exciting education programme across Britain . For further information on Asian Music Circuit please contact Elie Gussman 020 8742 9911 WOMEX 26th – 30th October 2005 The Asian Music Circuit has been attending the WOMEX world music trade for several years now, and this year WOMEX comes to the UK and to THE SAGE, in Gateshead, Newcastle. The AMC will once again have their stand there number C 17. Our stand this year is being sponsored by COBRA BEER. We are pleased in invite our current clients and potential future clients to join us for a beer at our stand C17 and discuss mutual programming or to book artists from our exciting programme in 2006/7. LATEST ON THE ASIAN MUSIC CENTRESee images from the new centre here. Building work commenced in January 2005 to make the existing two units into one. A new staircase with stainless steel and glass balustrading has been installed along with platform lift from the reception to the office and a lift from the reception to the first floor The entire building has been rewired , with a new kitchen area and decorated. The Centre has a spacious reception area on ground floor level at the entrance with access to cloakroom facilities. Another spacious reception area is at first floor level. The entire building is now made up of two reception areas, the museum room which will house the display cabinets for musical instruments, the “sensor” and “virtual” room; the office for the AMC education team will also be on ground floor. The display cabinets for the instruments should be in place by around mid-october, while the multi-media installation is making good progress and should be in place by the end of October. The first floor has the beautiful room with curved ceiling where students can have hands-on experience of instruments , watch films , attend seminars, lectures and workshops and attend "listening sessions"; the first floor also has a “study” room where one can access the AMC's extensive digital audio-visual archive of music to study or simply enjoy. Work on the digital archive and music library has made good progress, but of course is an ”on-going” process as more and more material is added to our collection. Data cabling is now almost complete. We hope to start using the Centre by November/December with workshops with our local schools and members of the public but we hope to formally open this most exciting and unusual facility by Spring 2006. DON'T MISS WORLD ROUTES ON BBC RADIO 3 ON SATURDAY 10 TH SEPTEMBER 2005 AND SATURDAY 17 TH SEPTEMBER 2005 AT 3PM GMT AMC's Viram Jasani goes with Lucy Duran – presenter of BBC RADIO 3's WORLD ROUTES - to India in search of the romantic music associated with the Hindu deity KRISHNA Their journey takes them to Gujarat to meet a community of cowherds to witness their magnificent dancing and singing. Legend has it that the cowherds and the milkmaids brought KRISHNA up and his life among them was the inspiration for so much in the dance and music of India . Hear the great Gujarati folk singer PRAFUL DAVE sing the romantic songs about KRISHNA in a remote village in Kathiawad. The journey continues to Kolkata in Bengal to find that in the red light district, courtesans sing romantic styles of thumri which were originally in praise of KRISHNA; the amazing BAULS – the “mad philosophers of Bengal” in their traditional setting in their ashram performing their vibrant, sensuous and esoteric music.They trace their origins back to the VAISHNAV movement. The journey ends in Varanasi – the home of the romantic styles of singing thumri, chaiti, Kajri, dadra among others – to be present at a “mujra” especially arranged for the team to listen to traditional courtesan music in its more classical setting. 20041 October 2004
This really is the passing away of not just a great singer but an entire way of life, a very special ambience and an era of musicianship that we can now only dream about. A classical singer, her command of thumri and other styles including folk songs of Gujarat and Maharashtra was unsurpassed – some of which were the inspiration for the superb compositions of her son Trilok Gurtu. No one who has listened to her in person will ever forget her wonderful ability to communicate with her audience. She was a performer with a very commanding presence, a glorious and rich voice, a superb sense of humour, and above all a generous and lovely human being. Shobha Gurtu will be missed by all – musicians and listeners alike.Saturday 13 March 2004 The world has lost one of its most significant musicians : Ustad Vilayat Khan The loss to Indian music and to the wider world of music is immeasurable. Indian musicians and lovers of Indian music everywhere will be mourning the demise of a unique, creative virtuoso who took with him a touch and style that will never be repeated. Ustad Vilayat Khan's contribution to Indian music and in particular to sitar-playing was outstanding and everlasting. Many have tried to emulate his powerful technique and beautiful tone but the memory of Vilayat Khan's sound will always remain an ideal. A major part of the already tiny remainder of the golden era of Indian classical music has now gone - that connection with a very special ambience and mijaz, an extraordinary and most creative approach to performance characterized by a strong grounding in tradition and history, full of integrity and authority - has gone for ever. 2003 15 September, 2003 BBC Radio 3 - World Routes Lucy Duran and James Parkin of BBC Radio 3's World Routes programme were accompanied by AMC's Viram Jasani to North India in December 2002. They visited Varanasi interviewing and listening to the great singers Rajan and Sajan Misra at their home ; recording some rare and exquisite Vedic Chants and witnessing the famous "AARTI" ceremony on the banks of the Ganges. Their musical journey took them to Delhi to record the beautiful SHEHNAI playing of Satish Prakash and the Sufi Qawwali of the Nizami Brothers at the shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya. This was followed by an adventurous journey to Rajasthan - the "Land of the Kings" where they met one of the worlds experts on Rajasthani folk music - Komal Kothari at his Institute of Rajasthan Folklore in Jodhpur. They visited villages near Jodhpur as well as on the far Western end of the Thar desert near Jaisalmer where they recorded the wonderful music of young talented singers and instrumentalists in the folk tradition of Rajasthan. Their journey ended in Mumbai where they met Anuradha Pal and nominees for the BBC World Music Awards, Trilok Gurtu and Alka Yagnik. These programmes were broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 World Routes in February 2003 NOT TO BE MISSED! BBC Radio 3 World Routes February, 2003 SANGAM: THE MEETING POINT Michael Nyman and Indian Masters U Shrinivas, Rajan and Sajan Misra 2002 December 2002 BBC World Service 70th Global Party. To celebrate 70 years of international broadcasting with the BBC, they broadcast three hours of live music from 5 cities around the world! Click here for more details and what part the Asian Music Circuit played! October, 2002 24 September, 2002 August 2002 July 2002 Click here to view exclusive pictures Sangam: The Meeting Point UK and WORLD PREMIERE! @ The Lowry, Manchester This special project presented, for the first time in the UK, the unique collaboration between prominent British composer Michael Nyman (best known for his film scores for Peter Greenaway films and Jane Champion's The Piano) and leading Indian classical musicians, mandolin sensation U Shrinivas and the masters of khyal vocals, Rajan and Sajan Misra. The project initiated by the Asian Music Circuit was the first ever collaboration on a large-scale work between a major figure in British contemporary music and India's finest classical musicians, based on a unique artistic partnership shared and developed over the past two years, initiated during an exploratory journey to India, funded by the British Council. There has been further funding from The Arts Council to explore the creative aspects of this unique collaboration. This was the closing performance of the Cultural Programme leading up to the Commonwealth Games held in Manchester. Click here to view exclusive pictures. Tours / Concerts / Education / Summer Schools / Artists / News / Shop / Asian Music Centre / Membership / Links
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The AMC was extremely privileged to have worked closely with the great singer SHOBHA GURTU – and this makes it all the more sad for us to know that she is no more. She suffered a heart attack and passed away on the 27th September 2004. 