Oct 13
Guest Concert: One Hundred Strings
'One Hundred Strings' is a collaboration of South Indian Carnatic and North Indian Hindustani music, a coming together of the Carnatic Saraswathi Veena and the Hindustani Santoor, along with the percussive support of the Carnatic Mridangam and the Hindustani Tabla. This quartet is made up of four renowned international masters of Indian Classical music. The name of the tour: One Hundred Strings: The Saraswathi veena has 7 strings and the special Santoor that will be played in this tour has 93 strings. Hence the name (93 plus 7).
All of these artists are not only master performers but also experienced educators who have traveled widely across many countries, bringing their music to various performing venues and educational spaces.
Until this tour, the 2 lead instruments (Saraswathi Veena and the Santoor), each with its unique history, have not been seen/heard together. The Saraswathi Veena represents India as its National instrument and the Santoor represents the Eurasian trade and cultural exchange through the ages. Both of these instruments also reflect the cultural diversity of India.
The Saraswathi veena is considered one of the most ancient instruments from Asia. Some historians date it back to 5000 years; Others say 2000 + years which is the age of the musical genre Carnatic Music - the classical music of South India. It is revered as the National Instrument of India and is so named as the Goddess of Arts, Culture and Wisdom, Saraswathi, holds this instrument in her hand symbolizing all that She Stands For.
Santoor is a string instrument that belongs to the Hindustani, North Indian Classical music of India. The original name of this instrument was Shata tantri Veena which in Sanskrit language means a Veena with100 strings - for this tour the Santoor being used is a custom instrument with 93 strings. The name of Santoor has its origins in the Persian language.
from Music Department