Raga Shambala – bridging the Himalayas
Photo contributed
International trio, Raga Shambala – Ayako Ikeda, Taro Terahara and Tenzin Choegyal
AS PART of their current Australian tour, celebrated international trio Tenzin Choegyal (Tibet), Taro Terahara (Japan) and Ayako Ikeda (Japan) will present a series of concerts featuring music from the Himalayas, at Gallery Nine in West Barrack Street, on Saturday 1 February. While most of us may know a little about the intriguing and of Tibet we rarely have the opportunity to experience its unique culture first-hand. Tibetan singer-songwriter Tenzin Choegyal is a master of traditional Tibetan instruments and is well known for his extraordinary vocal ability. He is also an outstanding composer/performer with a great depth of musical knowledge, intuition and inventiveness.
Since his Australian debut in 1997, Tenzin has become a major force on the world music scene, frequently touring Japan and the US (including appearances at Carnegie Hall with Phillip Glass). He was feature artist during the 2013 and 2015 Australian tours by the Dalai Lama and is the creative force behind the annual Brisbane Festival of Tibet. Tenzin continues to push the boundaries and enjoys experimenting with musical collaborations such as classical string ensembles and African, Indian, indigenous Australian and Mongolian musicians, resulting in many innovative and evocative performances. Accomplished bansuri master Taro Terahara and tabla player Ayako Ikeda are leaders in the thriving and highly competitive Indian classical music scene in Japan. Drawn to the music of India, Taro decided to devote himself entirely to the practice of Indian classical music. The bansuri, he explains, beautifully captures the sound of the air, the mountains and the uplifting devotional mood of Krishna. Likewise, Ayako studied under several Indian masters and now performs regularly throughout Japan. She has featured in several television and radio programs and has accompanied Indian, Tibetan and Afghan musicians both on stage and in the studio
The sounds of bansuri and tabla blend seamlessly with Tenzin’s flute, dranyen and vocal offerings in an interplay that is sensitive and beautifully rendered. The combination of such powerfully expressive performers makes this a unique trio. With the artists drawing on their rich musical traditions audiences will experience the vastness of space and the beauty of the high Tibetan plateau in the music they create. The result is an unforgettable and moving experience for all ages. Tickets can be booked at the Alpaca Shoppe and online at www.trybooking.com/529995, or they can be purchased at the door.
