INTERNATIONALLY renowned virtuoso South Indian violinist Jyotsna Srikanth stops by in Edinburgh on her 2023-24 tour on Friday 17th November, showcasing an extraordinary blend of ragas presented in contemporary style and blended with keyboards, electronics and percussion.
Srikanth is Europe’s foremost Indian violinist, and the centrepiece of this concert (at St James Episcopal Church, 11a John’s Place, opposite Leith Links) will be a series of pieces she composed during lockdown. ‘Shakthi’ means ‘strength’ in Sanskrit, and the music reflects both the hope and the loss of that time.
Hailing from Bangalore, Jyotsna Srikanth’s music illuminates the Carnatic musical tradition with kaleidoscopic colour. Approaching every musical interaction in a forward-thinking way, she is just as likely be found revelling in raga rotations or jamming in free jazz, often marrying the two together in surprising and unexpected ways.
The Jyotsna Srikanth Project (also featuring Shadrach Solomon on keyboard and Karthik Mani on drums and percussion) presented ‘Shakthi’ for the London International Arts Festival 2022 at the Kings Place in December 2022, and are now bringing a version of it to Edinburgh as part of a long tour.
The Guardian newspaper has described Srikanth’s music as “free-flowing and often mesmerising”.
* Advance tickets (£16 – free companion for disabled attendees) are available via Eventbrite.