Indians in China form body to promote classical music

BEIJING: Indian expat music lovers, corporate houses and diplomatic missions in China came together to form for the first time a cultural group called 'Chaiti' to promote Indian classical music among Chinese by holding annual music shows with top Indian musicians.
The group formed four years ago in Shanghai, this year successfully held well attended shows of famous Sarod players Amaan Ali and Ayaan Ali, the sons of Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan in Shanghai and Beijing its first major show in both the cities.
The audience were treated with tunes from traditional ragas and folk music from India. The music ranged from soulful rendition to fast paced jugalbandi among the artists, the organisers said.
'Chaiti' relates to the Hindu calendar month Chait which is also associated with light classical form of Hindustani classical music one of its founders Ravi Shankar Bose said.
The visitors to the festival are primarily Chinese audience and they get to experience unique instruments like "sarangi", "sitar", "sarod", "tabla" and a range of vocals from the Hindustani genre of music, Bose a Shanghai based Indian professional who founded Chaiti along with his Soudamini and fellow professional, Siddharth Sinha and his spouse Madhumita Bhuyan said.
'Chaiti' relates to Hindustani music, Chaiti Art Foundation promotes all Indian classical music, Madhumita Bhuyan said.
The shows in Shanghai priced around 200 Yuan (Rs. 2000) were well attended mainly by Chinese, she said.
The festival works as an initiation of Indian classical music to the Chinese audience, Bose said in a press release.
'Chaiti' initiative is backed by Indian Embassy here and Consulate in Shanghai besides Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with generous sponsorship from Indian companies based in China like TCS, Essar and Air India, Bose said.
The lack of exposure of Indian classical music in China has egged them to create a platform for spreading this genre of music in China.
During the tour, the artists also hold workshops in collaboration with noted Chinese music schools where they interact with faculty, students and master exponents of Chinese traditional music.
An open exchange of dialogues between the visiting Indian artists and Chinese artists allows for an understanding of history and application of ragas and wide range of instruments being used in Indian classical music, Bose said.