Sitarist Swayam revolutionises Indian classical music with multisensory performances

There has been a wave of classical musicians in India trying to make the genre more relatable to younger audiences. Whether it is English or popular cinema songs with classical renditions, or cinematic visuals to make it an aesthetic experience, Indian classical music is beginning to get a global appeal among younger audiences, thanks to musicians who are experimenting with the genre. “Classical music majorly attracts audiences already initiated to the genre. It can be very nuanced, technical, and sometimes not so accessible,” says Swayamsiddha Priyadarshi, a sitarist set to perform in town. Also a designer by profession, he integrates design principles in his shows to make it a multisensory experience.

Swayam’s innovative, interactive sitar performance

The performance includes detailed lighting, a set design, Swayam’s characteristic outfits, and storytelling. The narratives presented are a mix of personal anecdotes, and knowledge about raag, laya, taal and tihai explained through tales. One of Swayam’s visions for his art is to initiate newer audiences to classical music, and educate them about the nuances, albeit through interaction and creative storytelling. “Usually, classical concerts include end-to-end raga performances with lots of improvisations. In this show, along with that, I will play a few of my originals and some relatable, familiar music to give the audience a well-curated, comprehensive experience,” Swayam says.

For those of you who follow him on Instagram, you would have surely seen videos where he overlaps different instruments and vocals by him to make it one single track. He does the same in this show, plays live sitar over original recorded music composed by him.

A creator by heart and designer by profession, Swayam believes that both fuel each other. In his college days, his projects would also revolve around music, and he now uses his design understanding to curate shows and content. “For example, I have a planned colour palette, the frame is cinematic, I curate my outfits, the lighting and so on. I think you can use design principles in everything. How to make the audience feel something is also a problem statement on its own.”

As a child, Swayam would spend his free time in arts and craft or music, rather than consuming content. His mother would download songs in her office, as that was the only place with internet access, and Swayam would listen to them at home. Some of his first musical memories were listening to a Tarana by Vidushi Veena Sahasrabuddhe, and a raag Rageshri by Pandit Budhakya Mukherjee, which elicited a strong inclination towards classical music. He learnt the keyboard in his initial years before shifting to sitar. “Because of my training in keyboard, I developed basics like taal, laya and recognition of notes. Owing to this, sitar became a lot easier where I only had to build on dexterity with the instrument.

I could bypass the initial phase of resilience and patience all classical artistes have to go through.”A true master of all trades, Swayam is set on a voyage to make Indian classical music more accessible by relevant soundscapes while keeping the essence intact.

Tickets at `499.

August 10, 4 pm.

At Moonshine Project, Jubilee Hills.

Email: ananyadeval.m@newindianexpress.com

X: @indulgexpress

For more updates, join/follow our WhatsApp, Telegram and YouTube channels.