31 October, 2009

Sydney Opera House

I have been meaning to post my first blog for the past few months but have just not been able to do so. But today, sitting here in Sydney in my hotel room, seeing the beautiful Sydney Harbor, the morning after my show at the famous Sydney Opera House, I thought that this is as good a day as ever to start sharing my experiences. Wow, what a show it was. Weird in many ways but highly satisfying to get a houseful audience at such a prestigious venue. Why do I say that it was weird? Well--never has my main string on the Sitar broken twice nor have I ever seen the Tabla break during my Alaap without even a single stroke!!!! Ty said that it was the Hallowen weekend in the States and perhaps, the spirits were out there in the hall. No wonder we call our music "spirit"ual music!!

What does it feel to make this long journey to such prestigious venues? Honestly, these are dream venues for all artistes to perform in and when I started out as a Soloist about 23yrs ago, I did also think that it would be wonderful to be playing at the biggest of the big venues---Carnegie Hall in NY and the Sydney Opera House was on that list. Yesterday when I sat in the Taxi and the Taxi driver asked where I wanted to go, there was a smile on my face when I said Sydney Opera House. Seeing my instrument, he asked if I was going to perform there and when I confirmed it, he said, "WOW. That's great, mate. So, you must be a famous musician?"

Do I consider myself a famous musician? I know that its a long journey but I have started taking the small steps by playing at such venues. I don't know whether just becoming "famous" is all I want but I also enjoy playing for the more intimate and small audience like I did a couple of days before Sydney Opera House. It was in a small place just north of Sydney in a place called Matcham. Most people living in Sydney have never even heard of this place but the love that the small audience gave me and my music in Matcham is also very special.

So, if I am asked to make my choice---Sydney Opera House or the small community in Matcham? Why do I have to even make the choice? I love performing at both the places and will always do both the Sydney Opera House and the Matcham type of shows.

Well---I have finally broken the ice by writing this blog today and now, will keep writing whenever I have interesting things to share. Have a great day.

Signing off on the morning of the first day of November and getting ready for my show this evening.

9 comments:

  1. Mr. Shubhendra Rao, thank you for sharing!

    Wow, as you say, your main string and a tabla breaking, that must have felt spooky...

    We had a small festival here in Mullumbimby last weekend and one world music band with tabla lap guitar and kora had also trouble because the weather was so wet... but nothing broke!

    I wish you fulfil your wish to play in the biggest of the big venues. You certainly enrich the lives of your audiences there with your 'spirit'ual music!

    If you ever wanted to play for a smaller audience in Byron Bay I would be glad to help find arrangements and it would be a pleasure for me. As a humble Western musician myself I have much respect for the dedication that Classical Indian music demands from accomplished artists: I've had the pleasure of meeting with the late Dr Kumar Ghandarva and his sons a long time ago and understood better what depth can be reached, and what heigths too.

    Respectfully to you, famous mate :-)

    Should you wish to contact me: info(at)ariel-kalma.com

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  2. Shubhendra,
    Bill in Portland, Oregon here... Congratulations on performing at the Sydney Opera House! It sound like you had a wonderful time. Have a safe journey. My best to you and Ty.

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  3. a truely 'spirit'ual experience!

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  4. Wow that sounds like a truely spiritual experience! So what do you enjoy more..playing in India or playing abroad?

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  5. @Bill.
    Thanks Bill. Long time since you wrote but its taken me a while to reply back. Hope things are well with you. Warm wishes for a Happy 2010 to everyone there.

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  6. @Ariel,
    Thanks for your message Ariel. Lovely to hear that you have music festivals that you organize. I did perform in Bangalow too and visit Byron Bay. Will surely let you know when I am in the area again and hope to perform there.

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  7. @Anononymous

    I love playing wherever I have a good audience--be it India or outside.

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  8. hi Shubhendra, when do we see u guys performing in ahmedabad? come soon. :). Send in clips of ur performance in Sydney!. u rock!

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  9. My best wishes to you and your blog. My memories of you and Ty Burhoe practicing at our home in Bangkok, for an audience of one, was also memorable :-)
    Keep blogging!
    Srinidhi

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