A River’s Plea

Akshara S.

• Artist Statement

  I am a passionate practitioner of Classical music - Vocals, Western Flute & a string instrument called “Veena” (Guitar equivalent in southern India). I have composed this score in a melodic scale called “Charukesi”. Its closest western equivalent is the Aeolian dominant scale. In the key of C, the notes of Charukesi are C, D, E, F, G, Ab, and Bb. This piece is set in a format called “Thaanam”, a key improvisation technique in the South Indian classical music tradition. Thaanams are a free-style exploration of the underlying melodic scale without a rhythmic pulse. Thaanams typically start at a low octave, then progress in an ascending scale melodically, varying speed along the way, culminating in a finale! I have used this concept to also bring in my other passion - environmental consciousness - by interleaving a polluted river’s plea for cleansing and rejuvenation, into the piece. From music flows the river of hope!

• Creative Statement

  Creativity to me, is discovering music even in silence; discovering flow in the stillness of the night; and discovering hope even in plea.