A mesmerizing performance of Bollywood melodies with Western instruments at the Symphony Masala Concert presented by Symphony New Hampshire (SNH)!
A Night to Remember
The Symphony Masala Concert presented by Symphony New Hampshire (SNH) on Saturday, October 21 at the Nashua Center for the Arts, New Hampshire was an enchanting musical experience like no other. SNH left no stone unturned to make its 100th annual season an unforgettable experience for its audience. It was a one-of-its-kind musical night where Bollywood music was celebrated with full Western instrumentation, an orchestral playing of great finesse!
Anuradha Palakurthi-Juju: The Voice of Gold
The Saturday orchestra with some 40+ musicians and songstress Anuradha Palakurthi-Juju, created a majestic ambiance that enthralled the audience. An exceptional artist whose name resonates with Indian music fanatics on a global scale needs no introduction. She has shared the stage with legends like Kumar Sanu, Bappi Lahiri, and Hariharan among many others. Her achievements sparkle like the stars in the night sky, crowned with the prestigious Radio Mirchi’s Best Independent Song award, a recognition that made her the first U.S. nominee to receive this honor.
Anuradha’s dazzling talent has even graced the renowned Times of Music, a Filmfare Award-winning show that showcased her musical virtuosity. She has lent her remarkable voice to South Indian cinema and collaborated with icons like Hariharan and Grammy-winning musicians from around the world. Her tribute to the legendary R.D. Burman at the Berklee Performance Center left audiences in sheer awe. And let’s not forget her award-winning album, Jaan Meri, beautifully composed by Ustad Nishat Khan from the Imdadkhani Gharana.
On the Saturday Symphony Masala Concert, Anuradha was brimming with enthusiasm from the start. Her sweet angelic voice, perfect rendition, exquisite musical performance, and the brilliant band of musicians who played the many instruments with her songs created a heavenly atmosphere full of music and melodies.
Roger Kalia: A Fresh View on Classical Music
This was the very first experimentation of a union between Indian and Western music that was performed on an international level helmed by eminent Music Director Roger Kalia. Praised for bringing a “fresh view to classical music,” Kalia is in his fourth season as a Music Director at the century-old Symphony New Hampshire. His bold vision and passion for blending diverse musical genres led him to orchestrate this groundbreaking event.
East Meets West: A Melodic Collaboration
This unique musical extravaganza was a collaboration of the renowned artist’s production, Juju Productions, with Symphony New Hampshire. The concert was a distinctive show of Bollywood songs played with Western instruments like violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, trombones, harp, piano, and others. The presentation of Indian music with Western instruments showcased the versatility of both genres and provided a truly refreshing experience for the audience.
A Night of Cinematic Classics
Anuradha’s sublime performance throughout the night was nothing short of breathtaking. Her rendition of popular Bollywood songs transported the audience to a realm of nostalgia and pure bliss. Some of the highlights of her performance included mesmerizing arrangements of timeless classics such as Roz Shaam Aati, Lag Ja Gale, Pehla Nasha, Chayya Chaiyya, Hum Dil De Chuke, Pyaar Hua Ikrar, Chandan Sa Badan, among many others.
An Enchanting Experience
The seamless integration of Indian and Western music captivated the hearts of both traditional Bollywood music lovers and avid Western music enthusiasts. The symphony, along with Anuradha’s mesmerizing vocals, created a harmonious convergence that transcended cultural boundaries. The enchanting event would definitely leave a long-lasting impression in the minds of the spectators. Symphony New Hampshire and Anuradha Palakurthi-Juju, through their collaboration, have set a new standard for the celebration of diversity in music. Undoubtedly, it was an extraordinary evening that united music lovers from all walks of life in a joyous celebration of East meets West musical collaboration.
This is an exclusive review by Jay-Ho! The Jay Kumar Show.
[Photo credits: Jaison K Jose from Cocoon Media Boston]
