An Interview with Samir Chatterjee
Samir Chatterjee is a virtuoso tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and western musical traditions. Samir performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway on December 10th, 2007. His compositions are widely acclaimed as well as his writings. You can read more about Samir on his website: http://www.tabla.org/samir.html
Samir was very kind to speak to us quite candidly about his collaborations and more. Below is an excerpt.
LiB: You recently performed with Salman Ahmad. How was the experience? How was the audience’s response?
Samir: There was a lot of positive energy and tremendous amount of warmth within and around the Auditorium. We had a lot of supporters and well wishers attend the concert and it was a wonderful evening of fusion music.
The concert was a fund raiser for Chhandayan and we always appreciate the support we have received for this nobel cause and institute.
LiB: Do you do a lot of Fusion music and International Collaborations?
Samir: Living in the heart of New York City (right opposite Times Square), one cannot ignore or shun away the presence of a huge global village here. It’s a wonderful place to be in and New York just acts as the perfect catalyst of fusion of artists and lays a wonderful platform that benefits Fusion music.
I have over the past years collaborated with numerous International artists. There is a lot of Islamic Sufi music/rock ventures like with Salman Ahmad and with Jewish music composers with Klezmers, etc. I worked with the renowned Vishwa Mohan Bhatt too.
Similarly, I worked with Indo-Flame, a beautiful blend of Indian and Flamenco dance and music.
There’s ‘Dawn to Dusk and Beyond’ which depicts the correspondence and influence of music on physiology and environment.
So there’s a lot of collaboration I’m doing and I believe we will see a lot more mixtures in the future.
LiB: Anything new that you’re working on? What can your fans look forward to in the near future?
Samir: I have worked with Sanjay Mishra and Jerry Garcia (of Grateful Dead) in the past. It gives me immense pleasure to simply mix up the flavors of Indian Music along with some Blues based guitar and interesting sounds the create a wonderful fusion. I will constantly be collaborating and working with new artists.
I’m currently travelling to Calcutta right now to work on some collaboration and experiment with new music. We’ll see how it goes
I’m also working closely on ties with Afghanistan and making trips there to the music departments and in talks with the Radio and TV shows to see how we can work together and bring about something beautiful and peaceful from our cultures.
LiB:Tell us a little about Chhandayan
Samir: Chhandayan offers classes of Indian music (vocal and instrumental) supplemented by periodic workshops, seminars and lecture- demonstrations throughout the year in Manhattan and Jackson Heights (Queens) in New York, Nutley, Edison and Kendall Park in New Jersey, Potomac in Maryland, Ashburn in Northern Virginia and Cheswick (in Pittsburgh area) in Pennsylvania.
Chhandayan has operated out of New York for the past 14 years and has grown to be a wonderful organization for artists to experience the philosophy of Chhandayan and Indian music.
LiB: And what is the philosophy of Chhandayan?
Samir: Chhandayan strongly believes in the power of music, particularly that of Indian music. This venture is directed towards the growth of understanding and appreciation of Indian culture. It is perhaps the most ancient tradition that is still alive and vibrant.
We’re focused on music which eliminates personal pride and division of nationality, ethnic backgrounds and achieve a higher goal to benefit man-kind as a whole. Chhandayan is representation of the true experience of Indian music.
LiB: And finally, What do you think about our venture, Liveisbetter.com?
Samir: I will definitely think of you when we want to reach out to numerous avid concert lovers out there and you can always contact me for concert information and would be more than glad to talk to you.
You’re doing a good job and keep it up.
