KALA RAMNATH Collective

feat. Abhijeet Banerjee [Tabla], Somnath Roy [Percussions], Osam Ezzeldin [Keyboards]

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Biography: Vidushi Kala Ramnath with her ‘Singing Violin’ stands among the world’s finest, most inspirational instrumentalists. Her playing has been featured on the Grammy-nominated Miles from India project, compositions of hers have appeared on the Grammy-winning albums In 27 Pieces (Hilary Hahn) and the Kronos Quartet’s 50 For The Future. Kala was the first Indian violinist ever to be featured in the violin Bible, The Strad. Her contributions feature in Hollywood soundtracks like the Oscar-nominated Blood Diamond and many more. And, most recently, she was awarded by the President of India with the most illustrious Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar for her contributions to the violin in Hindustani Classical Music.

Born into a dynasty of prodigious violin legends such as her paternal uncle Prof. T.N. Krishnan and paternal aunt Dr. N. Rajam, Kala’s violinistic vision began manifesting early. She became a pre-eminent disciple of the legendary vocalist Pandit Jasraj. During this mentorship, Kala began revolutionizing approaches to vocalized Hindustani violin technique. She began formulating a sound unlike other violinists, justifiably giving it the title of the ‘Singing Violin’. Acknowledged as a virtuoso of staggering proportions, Kala has performed at the most prestigious music festivals worldwide.

Kala is at the vanguard of the present generation of Indian instrumental super-stars. Due to her rigorous training in the Hindustani classical tradition – and familiarity with the Karnatic classical tradition – she comfortably forges musical alliances with renowned artists from different genres around the globe, incorporating elements of Western Classical, Jazz, Flamenco and traditional African music into her rich and varied repertoire. Kala is a sought-after artist and has performed with the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras and world music legends like George Brooks, Kai Eckhart, Bela Fleck, Terry Bozzio, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ray Manzarek of the Doors and Edgar Meyer to name but a few. Raga Afrika, Global Conversation and Elements are bands Kala has founded with her fellow world music artists, besides ofcourse her primary band The Kala Ramnath Collective (prev. known as Yashila).

About The Kala Ramnath Collective:

This is the World Fusion band led by globally revered Violin maestro KALA RAMNATH, who has contributed to Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated International projects time and again. The band’s music is an electrifying blend of North & South Indian Classical, with flavours of other World regions such as Latino, European and Middle Eastern. The Collective typically also comprises Kolkata based duo of Tabla player ABHIJIT BANERJEE & percussionist SOMNATH ROY, besides the world-renowned, US based Egyptian Jazz keyboardist OSAM EZZELDIN, whenever available.

ABHIJIT BANERJEE is one of the most sought-after Tabla players worldwide, and is equally at ease while playing the Pakhawaj, Darbuka and Kanjira too. He contributes immensely to the rhythmic design of the unique KALA RAMNATH Collective sound.

SOMNATH ROY is trained not only in World percussions (including the Cajon) but also the North Indian Dholak and South Indian Ghatam. An international performer, Somnath has created a unique North Indian style of playing the Ghatam, without compromising its South Indian aesthetics.