Iraqi Maqam and Indian Raga | Amir ElSaffar and Arun Ramamurthy
We talked to Amir ElSaffar and Arun Ramamurthy about Raga Maqam which is a 15-person ensemble featuring virtuosic artists that bring to life a unique and contemporary sound grounded in two ancient traditions.
Born out of a collaboration between The India Center Foundation, Brooklyn Raga Massive, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Raga Maqam is an exploration of the shared threads of Iraqi Maqam and Indian Raga. Featuring new music composed by Iraqi-American multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Amir ElSaffar in conjunction with members of Brooklyn Raga Massive and maqam virtuosos in NYC and beyond, Raga Maqam brings to life a unique and contemporary sound grounded in two ancient traditions. This 15-person ensemble features virtuosic artists hailing from America, India, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey, the majority of whom are based in the U.S. The instrumentation is just as eclectic as the ensemble, bringing together masters of the santur, oud, qanun, violin, sitar, bansuri, ney, shehnai, kamancheh, tabla, and more.
Amir is an expert trumpeter with a classical background. He has created techniques to play microtones and ornaments idiomatic to Arabic music that are not typically heard on the trumpet. Additionally, he is a purveyor of the centuries-old, now endangered, Iraqi maqam tradition. As a composer, ElSaffar has used the subtle microtones found in Iraqi maqam music to create an innovative approach to harmony and melody.
Arun is a versatile violinist, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn. He has carved a niche for himself as a multifaceted artist. Arun leads the Arun Ramamurthy Trio, an ensemble creating original work and bringing a fresh approach to age-old South Indian classical repertoire. Arun is also a co-founder and active musician and curator for Brooklyn Raga Massive. He also created the concert series Carnatic Sundays at Cornelia Street Café, an iconic jazz venue in New York’s West Village.
Twitter: Amir ElSaffar & Arun Ramamurthy
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The afikra Podcast
The afikra Podcast is our flagship series featuring experts from academia, art, media, urban planning, and beyond, who are helping document and shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their work.
