100 Strings: An instrumental extravaganza from India

Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM

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).  

About the Saraswathi veena 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.

About the Santoor  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 another kind of Veena many times with100 Strings-for this tour the santoor being used is a custom instrument with 93 strings. The name of the  instrument has its origins in the Persian language that came to India through the arrival of that culture in India.

The artists:

Nirmala Rajasekar - Saraswathi Veena

Sandip Chatterjee - Santoor

Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi - Mridangam drum

Ramdas Palsule - Tabla drums