The recent collaboration between Indian classical music (sarod) and Western orchestra in the ongoing Bonjour India Festival of France was something music lovers have waited for too long.
In a fusion collaboration in New Delhi, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, sons Aman Ali and Ayaan Ali, and two French ensembles presented a concerto, featuring the newly-composed Ananta-Opus 195.
The concerto featuring sarod, symphonic and electronic orchestra, is an original work born from the merging of different musical cultures. Written by Pierre Thilloy and performed by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons with the Avignon Provence Symphonic Orchestra and Kords Collective, the concerto was conducted by Samuel Jean. It explores the layers and depths of Indian classical music and the “element of common” that allows it to integrate with international strains.
The sarod maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, an icon of the Senia Bangash School of music, has to his credit the distinction of having created many new ragas. Known for his lyrical style, he plays the sarod in his unique way, interpreting the music as he improvises on speed and pace, which keeps
his music new and rhythmic.
Speaking with this correspondent, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan says he is honoured to have collaborated with French musicians. “No other country has honoured creative people the way France did. By collaborating with Pierre…I have respected him and his country.”
In 2012, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan collaborated with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and composed Samaagam, which was the first sarod concerto held in the world.
Speaking about the growing popularity of the sarod, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan says, “Indian classical music, especially sarod, is being recognised slowly in the global arena. Every musician has love and respect for Indian classical music. And slowly sarod is becoming one of the hottest topics of discussion among musicians.”
In Ananta-Opus 195, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan had to decide which raga has to be played and where. “As we don’t have conductors in this part of the world, we have to do all the three roles — music, raga and performance. However, in European orchestras, conductors play a big role. In Ananta-Opus 195 conductor Samuel Jean played an important role.”
Musician Thilloy, who began with cultural collaborations in Africa, travelled to Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and then to India in 2010, where he met the exponents of Indian classical music. “I have been wanting to do a musical project with India for a long time. I worked for over 12 years with musicians from Azerbaijan, as well as the world of traditional music. India is a logical continuation of my musical journey. It was my good fortune that I could fulfil this dream with unconditional support of Ambassadors of France Jérôme Bonnafont and François Richier,” he says.
Pierre feels that Indian ragas have been making a huge impact globally since the 1970s. Citing the example of the Beatles, he says that they have used Indian ragas in a lot of their fusion work. He says, “Fusion cannot take the place of classical music, though today, there are many possible ways to mix the two. Some have practically not been experimented. It is probably time to get into the new era of music. Practice in Western music as done by the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation in India will most likely introduce a new generation of Indian musicians. This new generation will have the same tools that have been used in the West, but the result will be different and very productive.”
Pierre has dedicated Ananta-Opus 195 in memory of Ravi Shankar as he feels Shankar was the greatest ambassador of Indian music all over the world.
According to him, the idea behind Ananta-Opus 195 is to meet the ends of two improbable worlds. “It is a humanist response to the vanity of men and chaotic world in which we live today. Music is a universal language, a symbolic way or a form of reconstruction of the Tower of Babel,” says the musician.
Pierre has many fusion projects in hand and he is looking forward to India as a future destination. “I have many projects. I had to start with something great in order to confront issues that may come in my way. Now, my next task is to find sponsors and patrons to see new dreams...which is a matter of time...But yes, I have a lot of beautiful dreams…to collaborate with tablas, the voice, the dance and everything that fascinates me! I love the Indian culture,” says the musician.

Ananta-Opus 195 will be showcased in Mumbai on March 5 at Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Auditorium