Classical music - Indian style

On the wettest day of the wettest July in Mumbai for 50 years, Phil and I had booked tickets for an Indian classical music concert in Bandra, our first taste this genre of entertainment since arriving in India.

This seemed like bad planning at the time as the relentless rain flooded roads and generally left carnage in its wake, but the concert was a short walk from home so we pulled on our waterproofs (largely ineffective in the heaviest rain) and braved the elements. Naively, we had thought that the concert might be cancelled but we had forgotten that Bombay does not stop for the monsoon. When we arrived at the rather smart and modern venue, the reception hall was already a lively mix of the seasoned concert goers of Bombay (kitted out in their finery) and the young and trendy (we were neither of these, and the only foreigners to be seen) looking forward to some entertainment.

The music was performed by a group of musicians called "Classicool" although they were very firm that  "they are not a band but a concept".  The group included a drummer, tabla player (drums a bit like bongos), sitar player (Indian guitar, think The Beatles), flortist, violinist, bass guitarist and vocalist and the set included shortish pieces, each less than 10 minutes, involving some or all the instruments.

The aim of Classicool is to introduce Indian classical music to new listeners in an accessible way, in short, snappy pieces in a jazzy style on amped up instruments. The result was really good fun and the musicians were very talented; I would not have believed that a 10 minute tabla solo could be so enthralling before this performance. It did all sound a little similar to me, but I don't think my ear is yet attuned to the subtleties of the music. This might improve over time.

There were several notable differences to a western classical music concert. 

First, the start time. The ticket said 1930, although the doors weren't even open then. It was gone 2000 by the time the music began. We did though have a slides how of real estate adverts from one of the sponsors to keep us amused...

Second was the interval which was a classic. The leader of the group (sitar player) gave an informative description of the background to Classicool, followed by thanking what felt like everyone in the audience apart from us for their contribution to Classicool / Indian classical music / life in general. This was followed by inviting several particularly revered musicians up the stage when lots of feet touching ensued (for respect) and the exchange of various gift hampers completed the thanking process. This lasted ages, but offering thanks and not offending anyone must have been a necessary part of the proceedings.

Finally the coming and going of audience members was free flowing, though it was loud and dark so it didn't matter very much. It was all good fun.

Waiting for the show to start

The Classicool line-up

Lots of chat in the interval

All in all, I would definitely go again, though maybe not to a full length Indian classical music performance which go on for an age. Classicool was great and can be found on YouTube for those who would like a look (Mum, you'll love it; Dad, you won't, but you may become familiar with it if Mum uses it in her music lessons in the future:-))