We have a common aim of promoting Indian culture: Karthick Iyer

Fusion band IndoSoul will take stage at the cultural fest, Festival of Bharat in New Delhi, from May 9-14. Vocalist and violinist Karthick Iyer, who has over 20 years of classical Carnatic experience, speaks about the journey of fusion music over the  years...

ABOUT FESTIVAL OF BHARAT

Festival of Bharat is a perfect fit for IndoSoul (also comprising guitarist Vikram Vivekanand, bassist Reshwin Nishith, drummer Ramkumar Kanakarajan, percussionist and mridangam player Sumesh Narayanan) as we have a common aim of spreading and promoting Indian culture. We’ll play some of our new songs from our third album, 2 Sides of Karma, as the songs take the audience through the journey of life’s ups and downs that karma puts one through.

FUSION’S EVOLUTION

Fusion music came into the limelight in the ’70s with musicians like John Mclaughlin and violinist L Shankar taking stage with Shakti and other collaborations. It then started to become more mainstream with Colonial Cousins’ album, which has been a milestone, followed by artistes like Susheela Raman who pioneered the idea that classical music can be adapted and played as a fusion. Now, people want to hear something more song-driven with a specific story or expression behind it.

KEEPING IT DIVERSE

The training that I’ve been given in Indian classical music is something that I cherish. I’ve met and worked with artistes from different musical backgrounds. My growth has been in terms of being able to blend my classical music training from whatever I learn from the outside, like the western format of music. This process keeps me diverse.