In 2001 Anoushka Shankar became the world’s youngest nominee for a Grammy award, for Best World Music Album. The Indian sitar virtuoso and composer was only 20 years old at the time, and her critically-acclaimed album Live at Carnegie Hall also made her the first female artist nominated for this category. Since then Anoushka has been exploring the terrain between Indian music and a variety of other musical genres. Her music, like her upbringing (in New Delhi, London and California) has been a marriage of different cultures. She has combined the – at times longing and at times lively – refrains of her cultural roots with electronic, flamenco, jazz and Western Classical music. She has worked with the likes of Sting, Herbie Hancock, Joshua Bell, Lenny Kravitz, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Thievery Corporation. About Anoushka, legendary musician, composer and producer Nitin Sawhney has said, ‘no one embodies the spirit of innovation and experimentation more evidently.’
Now on tour for her 2012 album Traveller, the daughter (and dedicated pupil) of the legendary Ravi Shankar, and half sister of Norah Jones, is headed to the capital. She is one of the artists which make up Abu Dhabi Festival’s stellar lineup, and a performer we’ve been looking forward to hearing ever since her visit to the UAE was announced. If you’re unfamiliar with her work, a browse through YouTube is in order. We caught up with Anoushka for a brief chat before her visit.
Have you been to the UAE before?
Yes, I have performed a couple of times in Dubai, but this will be my first time in Abu Dhabi and I am extremely excited to come and perform there.
What do you think of the region’s music scene? Would you consider collaborating with Middle Eastern musicians in the future?
It is always a pleasure to explore another musical tradition through my own Indian classical tradition and hear how the two interact, so let’s see what the future holds.
In February last year you had your son Zubin, have you found that motherhood has enriched your music?
Having Zubin has enriched my life experience and freed me creatively in a way I find hard to analyse or explain. I do feel that my music has become more expressive with this expanded well of experiences from which to draw.
Just when we think Anoushka couldn’t possibly get better, you out-do yourself all over again and Traveller is proof of that. What can we hope to look forward to from you in the future?
Thank you! I want to continue to grow as a musician within both my classical tradition and contemporary styles, whilst pushing boundaries and working with artists I admire and respect from all over the globe.
You’ve been described as an Indian musician, but also as an international artist and you’re also the child of many worlds. Where do you call home?
I was born in and have returned to London, but I feel at home and closely connected to all three of the countries in which I grew up. I feel lucky, having seen and spent time in so many different places and to have developed a love and appreciation for the world as a whole.
Traveller
Andalusia’s Rajasthani gypsy migrants were partly responsible for the dance and music style known as flamenco, and in Traveller Anoushka Shankar demonstrates why she believes flamenco is the ‘little brother’ of Indian music. In this bold exploration, the artist joins forces with producer Javier Limón to create a fusion of two musical traditions which were once closely related. The result is a mixed bag. The best tracks combine uninhibited melodies with warm, transporting vocals, and are a thrilling celebration of the shared roots. The tracks that don’t stand out as much are the kind of easygoing world music you’d expect to hear at a swanky restaurant, or Buddha Bar.
Anoushka Shankar will be performing on March 19 from 8pm at the Emirates Palace Auditorium (02 690 9000). Tickets are available at Time Out Tickets priced at Dhs495 (for Diamond stalls) and Dhs295 (for Pearl stalls/balcony).
