Raga Ecstasy - Sitar ‘path bender’ Niladri Kumar heads to South African for concert tour

The multi-award winning 5^th generation, and ‘maverick’ sitar player Niladri Kumar, along with tabla player Vijay Ghate, are headed to South Africa for a two-city concert tour of Indian classical music - Raga Ecstasy.

Performing at the Baxter Concert Hall in Cape Town on Saturday 29^th July and at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg on Sunday 30^th July 2017, the pair are set to entrance and transport concert goers with their rippling performance – a delicate but exhilarating fusion between the worlds of classical and contemporary music. Whether as a devoted fan of Indian classical music (ICM), or new to the genre, the magical nature of the improvisation is not to be missed, as it will not happen again.

After gaining an in-depth and profound understanding of ICM – he began playing at the age of four under the tutelage of his father - Niladri Kumar has gone on to revolutionise sitar playing, making it uniquely his own. His non-traditional use of the instrument, makes his music as appealing to the youth as it is to long-term aficionados, ensuring sold out venues wherever he plays. 

The sitar is a dynamic and alive instrument and in Niladri’s hands, expands on tradition, without losing the roots from which it springs.  It is a magical expression that has garnered him recognition from critics and fans the world over, always leaving audiences spellbound.  

Joining Nildari on this tour is Vijay Ghate, who began his own musical journey with the tablaGilbert at the tender age of three. Starting out beating empty tin boxes, at two-and-a-half, Vijay’s fascination has developed into an insatiable passion for the ancient percussion instrument that is such a crucial part of the musical storytelling.  

Also holding multiple awards and recognition, Vijay regularly accompanies music maestros in India and abroad – his most recent visit to South Africa was with Deepak Pandit at the end of March this year. He is one of the few tabla players proficient in accompanying instrumental, vocal, and dance music. 

Expect then, the unexpected if you are in Cape Town or Johannesburg in July this year.

CONCERT INFORMATION

Cape Town – Saturday 29 July 2017 – Baxter Concert Hall, 7.30pm

Johannesburg – Sunday 30 July 2017 – Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City, 5.00pm

Tickets to Raga Ecstasy priced at R300 – R600 are available from Computicket outlets nationwide, Computicket Call Centre on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com, and Shoprite Checkers stores.