Vikram Hazra, an unparalleled name in Indi-jazz-rock-contemporary music returns to UK after nearly 14 years to mesmerise his fans in London at Bush Hall on 1 June and in Manchester at the Band on the Wall on 2 June. Vikram will be accompanied by Soumya Jyoti Ghosh in the concert, titled ‘Song of the Soul’, organised by SAJDA (South Asian Performing Arts Festival).
For tickets, go to: bit.ly/VikramLDN
The event organised to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, will incorporate elements from cultures like Africa and South America, moving poetry from Kabir, Merbau, Khusrau and Guru Nanak, as well as folk compositions from remote corners of rural India, representing Vikram’s personal journey of self-discovery through music.
Song of the Soul is a unique and seamless mesh of ancient Sanskrit chants and a jazz-rock sensibility. As Vikram says “I don’t believe in ‘remixes’ and ‘fusion’ per se; the purity of the chants is maintained as I have merely changed the frame around the picture.”
Vikram Hazra is an internationally-acclaimed artiste, who is one of the most foremost names in devotional music. He has 15 released albums to his credit along with packed concerts across 49 Countries. He is also known for being the first to introduce the electric guitar and a jazz-rock sensibility into this genre, presenting folk music, traditional chants and ancient philosophy in an exciting world music format. The global hit Krishna bhajan “Acchutam Keshavam” that recorded an all-time success at the music album sales was sung and composed by Vikram.
Rahul Laud, curator of the SAJDA festival and facilitator of the concerts in UK says, ‘’Vikram Hazra doesn’t just play music. He opens a doorway for his audiences to touch their own soul. His concerts evoke strong reactions from diverse audiences across the globe.’’
Vikram has performed at prestigious venues ranging from London’s Bloomsbury Theatre to Johannesburg’s Linder Auditorium, Delhi’s Siri Fort auditorium and Mumbai’s Shanmukhananda Hall and NCPA Tata Theatre, as well as at colleges like Amherst Massachusetts, University of Warwick, IIT Kanpur, NMIMS Mumbai, and IIM Ahmedabad.
His unique style has been shaped by a combination of factors including years of spiritual practises, along with uncompromising attention to tonal crafting and sound design, as well as the gift of an impeccable musical ear. Accordingly, he states “Our style of spiritual music involves sculpting sound in such a way that the listener hears the silence contained within.”
Vikram will be accompanied by flutist Soumya Jyoti Ghosh, one of the favourite disciples of the pre-eminent flute maestro Pt Ronu Majumdar, and one of the top recording and performing artistes in the country today. With a wide repertoire that ranges from Hindustani classical to jazz, Ghosh is a musical prodigy, an established professional keyboard player and plays the melodica, penny whistle and dvoyanka, in addition to backing vocals and mouth percussion.
Part of the proceeds from this event will be directed towards International Association of Human Values AHV. IAHV is an NGO whose projects transform the lives of people affected by disasters, conflict, trauma and stress, and children who would not otherwise be in education.
This event is supported by Partners: Travel – Air India, Media – Asian Lite, Charity – IAHV and sponsored by the Manchester India Partnership; SBI UK; HDFC Home Loans; Indian Tiffin Room; Wah Ji Wah; and VR Mortgage Solutions Ltd. For further information and details contact Rahul Laud: 07845449675 / sajdafestival@gmail.com –
Smita is a multi-cultural freelance journalist, writer, and filmmaker based out of the US, London, Hong Kong, and India. Global Indian Stories is her brain-child. Created to chronicle diaspora stories written by Indians of all age groups, from different walks of life across the globe, Smita makes sure that the platform remains inclusive and positive.
