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Indian music icons Kavita Krishnamurthi and Dr L Subramaniam to perform in New York

The event titled, Bollywood and Beyond, will be held at The Town Hall on July.20 and will be accompanied by table player Tanmoy Bose.

Singer Kavita Krishnamurthi and violinist Dr L Subramaniam. / Courtesy Photo

Renowned Indian violinist Dr L Subramaniam and acclaimed singer Kavita Krishnamurthi are set to perform at The Town Hall in New York City on July.20. Presented jointly by The Town Hall and the Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC), the event ‘Bollywood and Beyond’ will be a fusion of Indian and global musical genres.

Kavita Krishnamurthi, celebrated for her emotive voice and extensive repertoire as a playback singer in Bollywood, has left an indelible mark on the Indian music industry. Known for interpreting songs offscreen that actors later lip-sync onscreen, Krishnamurthi's career spans decades with numerous chart-topping hits. Beyond Bollywood, she has ventured into ghazals, devotional music, and international collaborations, notably alongside her husband, Dr L Subramaniam.

Dr Subramaniam, a prodigy from a musical lineage, has revolutionized the Carnatic violin tradition. Inspired by his father, a revered violinist, Subramaniam has seamlessly integrated Indian classical music with Western orchestral compositions. His illustrious career includes performances with esteemed orchestras worldwide, compositions for films and ballets, and collaborations with jazz and pop icons like George Harrison and Herbie Hancock.

Reflecting on his musical journey, violinist Subramaniam fondly recalled his family's rich musical legacy in an interview. "My mother would play the veena (a stringed instrument) but was also a singer," he reminisced. "And it was my father's dream to bring the violin to the fore and make it a solo instrument." His father's influence was profound, shaping Dr Subramaniam's aspiration to emulate him as both a guru and a father figure.

Carrying forward his father's vision, Dr Subramaniam embarked on a groundbreaking career that transcended musical boundaries. He achieved international acclaim by melding the Carnatic traditions of South India with Western classical music, earning soloist roles and composer credits with prestigious orchestras worldwide. Notably, he collaborated with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Zubin Mehta, as well as the Houston Symphony and the Berlin State Opera.

Subramaniam clarified his artistic approach, emphasizing collaboration that preserves cultural integrity. "The idea here is not to make an orchestra play Indian music," he explained. "But to create something where both Western and Indian musicians feel like they're playing their own music while creating something unique."

This approach seamlessly blends elements of Carnatic music with Western classical techniques such as harmony and counterpoint, resulting in innovative compositions.

Beyond orchestral achievements, Dr Subramaniam's musical repertoire extends to film scores like Salaam Bombay!, Mississippi Masala, and Little Buddha, as well as ballet compositions for esteemed companies like the Kirov Ballet and the Alvin Ailey Company.

The concert will be held at 8 pm.

Tabla player Tanmoy Bose. / Courtesy Photo

Backed by a seven-piece band with Indian and Western instruments, anchored by tabla player Tanmoy Bose, Kavita Krishnamurti and Dr Subramaniam will present a program blending various music genres. This includes Kavita's Bollywood hits, Dr Subramaniam's original compositions rooted in Indian ragas performed with a mix of Indian and Western instruments, and fusion-based duets.

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