A clever blend of music and visuals

Fusion Piece

Christophe Chassol’s performance, which was a part of ‘Bonjour India’, explored the beauty and all-pervasive nature of music. Called ‘INDIAMORE’, it presented the audience with an interesting mix of visuals as well as music. The concert was held at the Alliance Francaise de Bangalore and it was his way of honouring India.

The visual portions were shot extensively in Kolkata and Varanasi. Christophe injected something magical into every scene, whether it was a group of random people having a conversation or the Ganga Arti in Varanasi. The documentary explored the lives of dancers, artistes, taxi drivers, hawkers, fishermen and children.

The documentary was a clever blend of dialogue, as well as music on the piano and the drums. The fusion made the performance surreal and rather imaginative. He began the performance with a piece of a woman singing a thumri by the Ganges in Varanasi. He fused the piece with music on the drums, tabla and piano.

The performance grew more interesting as it progressed. His documentation and projection of Kolkata was different — he mixed different kinds of music with the mundane sound of a taxi horn, which impressed the audience no end. In every context — such as a hawker selling dotara — he added an interesting element. It was a treat for the audience, who were pleasantly surprised by his excellent presentation and music.

The climax was a long piano recital alongside the theka and bol of the tabla, verbally recited by a reputed percussionist. The audience sat still as he played, feeling every beat and deeply absorbed in the notations. Srilekha, who attended the concert, says that she was surprised by the musician’s talent. “It was such a great concept. The mix and match of various instruments, day-to-day conversation and the piano was great. He is so young and yet so talented; I
really enjoyed the performance,” she adds.

“There is a typical way in which tourists from different countries document India. His was a pleasant and unique approach. He chose to see music in the day-to-day life of an Indian, rather than the poverty and dirt,” says Arun Kamath, another member of the audience.