SAAGARA, or the meeting of two musical worlds

Program 2 of Polish Radio invites you on March 9 this year at 19:00 to the Witold Lutosławski Concert Studio for an extraordinary meeting of traditional European music and ancient Indian Carnatic music performed by the SAAGARA group.

Members of the SAAGARA group - three outstanding Indian virtuosos of traditional ancient Indian instruments and a Polish master of the clarinet and composer - refer in their projects to the traditions and musical rituals of different cultures, combining Carnatic music, characterized by an extremely sophisticated rhythmic and melodic system, with the musical tradition of Europe.


In the ensemble's repertoire, we will find both Carnatic pieces and original compositions by the musicians. The foundation of their construction consists of taale, which are traditional Indian rhythmic patterns, combined with Western melodies, interspersed with the rag system – Indian scales.

Bharghava Halambi, an outstanding musician from India, specializes in playing the khanjira (a frame drum from the tambourine family) and the mridangam (a double-sided drum, one of the oldest Indian instruments). He learned his craft from great masters of Indian music. He is one of the members of the famous percussion ensemble Layatharanga. He has performed in many prestigious concert halls. He has conducted workshops in India, the USA, and France.

Ghatam Giridhar Udupa, a master of the ghatam (a clay percussion instrument resembling a pot). He was born into a family with a long musical tradition. He began learning to play at the age of four, guided by his father. As a twelve-year-old, he already had his first performances. He currently performs alongside the greatest masters. He has received many prestigious awards. He performs in the USA, Spain, Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany, Oman, and Kuwait. Giridhar Udupa is a member of the ensemble of Indian vocalist Bombay Jayashri, nominated for an Oscar for the best song for the film 'Life of Pi'. He is one of the founders of the Layatharanga ensemble.

K Raja, a young master of thavil (a double-membrane percussion instrument, most often used during festivals and rituals in Hindu temples, played with sticks and special thimbles). K Raja comes from a family where the tradition of playing thavil has been cultivated for four generations. He began his musical education at a very young age, attracting the attention of many masters of Indian music. He is one of the few virtuosos of thavil who can adapt to various musical styles – from jazz to fusion.

Wacław Zimpel, a classically trained clarinetist and composer. Currently, he is one of the most recognizable Polish artists on the world improvised music scene. He draws inspiration primarily from the sacred and ritual music of different cultures. He co-creates the Resonance Orchestra with Ken Vandermark. He also collaborates with Hamid Drake, Michael Zerang, Mikołaj Trzaska, Klaus Kugel, Bobby Few, and Perry Robinson.

SAAGARA:
Ghatam Giridhar Udupa ghatam, konnakol, morsing (percussion instruments)
Bharghava Halambi mridangam, khanjira, konnakol (drums)
K Raja tavil and other percussion instruments
Wacław Zimpel clarinet

Tickets priced at 20 PLN can be purchased at sklep.polskieradio.pl and one hour before the concert at the box office of the Witold Lutosławski Concert Studio.