Sound experiment - U Srinivas & Hariharan

In India the mandolin has become synonymous with Shrinivas, the prodigy from remote Palakol (Andhra Pradesh), now a national celebrity.

An innovator from the start, he adapted the electric mandolin to play a new kind of music within the Carnatic fold. He managed fine not only with straight notes, but created an impact with ragas such as Sahana or Mukhari which thrive only on oscillations, on an instrument offering little scope for continuity.

His unfaltering grip on his medium and craft skills have had him holding his own easily in jugalbandi encounters with Hariprasad Chaurasia and Sultan Khan, to fusion forays with John Mclaughlin and Nigel Kennedy. In Milan or Mylapore, his powers of communication remain phenomenal. On the stage Shrinivas appears what he is — a master.

Hariharan too chose to take a road less travelled. Trained in Carnatic music, the Tamil born Bombay boy opted to specialise in ghazal singing and shot to prominence on stage and cinema. He went on to extend his reach with hits such as "Thamizha Thamizha", "Konjanal Poru", and the chartbusting "Colonial Cousins". With that elusive attribute called "Dard', his resonant voice wafts listeners into dreams of melody and romance.

What makes Hariharan special? His sensitivity to word and note? His ease in engaging with every kind of audience? His command over glide and glissade? The blend of tenderness and precision? Today he is a sought after singer for recorded and live music.

The Friday November Fest brings the two enchanters together in Chennai where they began their first collaboration in 1998.

Their singular Carnatic-ghazalbandi experiment is based on that confidence springing from sound training, hard work, and love of adventure.

With recurrent performances their show has matured in texture and substance, grown in rapport, and radiates a new energy.

GOWRI RAMNARAYAN

GR