Supported by the High Commission of India, New Zealand
CHRISTCHURCH
Concert date: 27th June 2024
AUCKLAND
Concert date: 29th June 2024
The Artists
Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (https://zakirhussain.com/) is considered the chief architect of the contemporary world music movement. He is the recipient of countless honors and awards. To name a few, he has received the titles Padma Vibhushan in 2023, Sangeet Natak Academy Fellowship in 2018, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Shri in 1988. But the most recent are the 3 Grammys he received at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, 2/4/24.
In 2009, Zakir Hussain received a Grammy in the best Contemporary World Music category for the Golden Drum Project, his group with Mickey Hart, Giovanni Hidalgo and Sikiru Adepoju. In 1992, Planet Drum, an album co-created and produced by Zakir and Mickey Hart, became the first recording to win a Grammy in the Best World Music Category.
Zakir co-composed the opening music for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, and has scored for many films, including Merchant-Ivory’s Heat and Dust (in which he also co-starred), In Custody and Mystic Masseur; Bertolucci’s Little Buddha, Vanaprastham (The Last Dance), Saaz, Everybody Says I’m Fine, and Mr. And Mrs. Iyer.
Kala Ramnath
Quartet’s 50 For the future, Maestro Kala Ramnath (https://kalaramnath.com/) with her ‘Singing Violin’ stands among the world’s finest, most inspirational instrumentalists. She was a pre-eminent disciple of the legendary vocalist Pandit Jasraj. Kala Ramnath is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Academy Puraskar.
Her playing has featured on the Grammy-nominated Miles from India project, compositions of hers have appeared on the Grammy-winning album “In 27 Pieces”.
She was the first Indian violinist ever to be featured in the violin Bible, The Strad. She was the subject of a solo essay in the third edition to The Encyclopedia- Rough Guide to World Music. Her contributions feature in Hollywood soundtracks such as the Oscar-nominated Blood Diamond.
Jayanthi Kumaresh
Jayanthi Kumaresh (https://www.jayanthikumaresh.com/) Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh is India’s torch bearer worldwide for Saraswathi Veena, the National Instrument of India. An artiste, collaborator, composer, researcher, creator, pioneer, and educator, her life achievements of over 35 years, truly embodies the rich musical heritage of India.
Jayanthi has performed at many international festivals, including the San Francisco Jazz Festival, Darbar Festival London, Celtic Connections in Scotland and at prestigious venues such as United Nations in New York, the Palladium, Indiana, Théâtre de la Ville, Paris, and Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle.
She has received many awards in India such “Sangeetha Choodamani”, “Kalaimamani” by the Government of Tamil Nadu, to name a few.