Karuna Kshetra at Indo-German Jazz Fusion in Indian Institute of Technology [IIT] Delhi

Report by Santanu Ganguly, New Delhi: Karuna Kshetra was initiated in 2003 by German sax player Rainer Pusch and Carnatic vocalist Manickam Yogeswaran. Performing with different rhythm sections, the arrangements are based on South Indian Carnatic music. While improvising, Carnatic elements and original ragas and talas are incorporated, resulting in a fusion of Western Jazz and Indian classical music. The band touring through India in September 2012 consists of Manickam Yogeswaran (vocals), Rainer Pusch (saxophone), Jigmee DorjeeSherpa (guitar), Abhishek Mangla (bass) and Reuben Narain (drums).

Alongside famous Indo-Jazz Fusion projects with Louis Banks, Sivamani, Ranjit Barot or Dr. Mysor Manjunath; Rainer Push has been recording with A.R. Rahman and other producers in the Indian film industry.

Manickam Yogeswaran’s reputation is strongly linked to his performance in the Soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick´s film Eyes Wide Shut. Moreover, his eclectic range of styles includes traditional South Indian classical music (Tamil Classics), multi-cultural collaborations with the band Dissidenten and the 16 strong voice choir The Stout. In June 2012, Yogeswaran performed a song composed by Jocely Pook as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee.

Abhishek Mangla, the electric bass player and arranger from New Delhi, has experimented with an array of genres, such as Rock ‘n’ Roll, Indian fusion, Indian classical music, Pop/Blues, Blue Breakfast and Jazz/R’n’B. Armed with his bass guitar along with an incessant need to expand his knowledge of music and his skills as a musician, Abhishek apart from playing bass is also an active arranger; writing music for fellow artists as well as composing for his own ensembles

Delhi based Reuben Narain has been actively performing with a variety of bands such as Artists Unlimited, Faridkot, Frequency and Café Turtle jazz trio. During the last years, he concentrated on his own band Drift!! and worked as a teacher at The Performers Collective.

Jigmee Dorjee Sherpa joined the only Jazz band in Nepal – Cadenza – in 1999. In 2004, Jigme started his own trio called the JCS Trio. Later, he was invited to teach at Kathmadu Jazz conservatory and Nepal Music Center.

Entry Free, Limited capacity – Seating is on first come first serve basis.

Saturday, 22 September 2012, 6.00 pm

Indian Institute of Technology [IIT] Delhi,

Seminar Hall, Hauz Khaz, Safdarjang Development Area, New Delhi 110016