Celebrating 40 years of ‘conversations’ at Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival | Pune News

Pune: The auditorium at Buntara Bhavan in Baner resonated with mesmerising melodies on Friday evening as virtuoso violinist L Subramaniam presented the ‘Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival‘, marking the 40th anniversary of Subramaniam’s pioneering album ‘Conversations’.
The performance showcased an extraordinary amalgamation of musical prowess, featuring several members of Subramaniam family alongside distinguished international artistes. Turkish violin sensation Muhammed Yildirir, renowned for his record-breaking rendition of ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’ in a mere 37 seconds, delivered a spellbinding performance. ‘
The ensemble was enriched by brilliant Turkish composer and pianist Ahmet Sait Karabulut, acclaimed bassist Jerry Watts, and masterful drummer Ron Wagner, who originally performed in the ‘Conversations’ album.
Subramaniam’s 13-year-old granddaughter Mahati stole hearts with her performance, brimming with innocence and talent. Her mother Bindu regaled audiences with a rendition of Bella Ciao in collaboration with Yikdirir.
“I feel confronted with the idea of legacy. It’s not only about where you come from but also what you are giving,” said Bindu as she introduced her daughter Mahati on the stage to sing a few songs.
The musical tapestry was further enhanced by the presence of innovative jazz pianist Frijo Francis, whose experimental compositions added a contemporary flair. The rhythmic foundation was strengthened by exceptional talents of percussionist Tanmoy Bose, thavil maestro Thiruvallikeni K. Sekar, and accomplished drummer Karthik Mani.
The concert seamlessly blended classical Indian music with global musical traditions, creating a harmonious dialogue between diverse musical forms. The audience witnessed a remarkable display of technical brilliance and emotional depth as musicians navigated through intricate compositions and improvisations.
The festival, which has been a platform for cross-cultural musical exchange, demonstrated its enduring significance in bringing together artistes from varied musical backgrounds. The performance not only celebrated the legacy of ‘Conversations’ but also showcased the evolution of fusion music over four decades.
L Subramaniam started the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival in 1992 in memory of his father and guru Professor V Lakshminarayana. Its central idea is to give everyone a chance to enjoy diverse musical styles. The festival showcases some of the world’s best artists.
So far, millions of listeners from over 25 countries have attended this unique festival that brings legendary artists from different parts of the world to perform on the stage. Previous editions of this music extravaganza have featured greats such as MS Subbulakshmi, Yehudi Menuhin, Bismillah Khan, Gangubai Hangal, Al Jarreau, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Stanley Clarke, Jean Luc Ponty, Arve Tellefsen, Balamuralikrishna, Vadim Repin, Billy Cobham, AR Rahman, among others.