Across Cultures: Sonic Journeys

Francesca Cassio is Professor of Music at Hofstra University (NY) and since 2011 holds the Sardarni Harbans Kaur Chair in Sikh Musicology, the first academic position of its kind in the United States. M.A. and PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University ‘La Sapienza’ of Rome, in affiliation with the Benares Hindu University, Dr. Cassio has conducted extensive research in India, where she lived for several years and was trained in vocal music by renowned musicians such as Padmabhshan Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Khan Dagar, Pandit Ritwik Sanyal, and Padmabhshan Smt. Girija Devi. Senior disciple of Bhai Baldeep Singh, the 13th generation exponent of the Gurbani kirtan parampara, Dr. Cassio specialized on the hymns from the Sikh Scripture. She has also studied Rabindra Sangitunder the guidance of Smt. Pramita Mallik and Dr. Reba Som, for an album project on 18 Tagore songs transcribed for voice and piano by the French musicologist Alain Daniélou (published by Visva Bharati University in 2009). Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Cassio was lecturer of Ethnomusicology and Indian vocal music at the University of Trento, Conservatory of Vicenza, Conservatory of Adria (Italy), and Visiting Professor at Viswa Bharati University (Shantiniketan, India). Dr. Cassio is the author of a monograph on dhrupad and is currently working on a volume that explores the history and practice of Gurbani kirtan. Her essays are published in edited volumes and international academic journals, and her research interests cover several areas in the field of South Asian music, ranging from music history to music and gender, music-s of underrepresented traditions, postcolonial and decolonial studies. Accomplished dhrupad singer and kirtaniya, Dr. Cassio has lectured and performed in India, Bangladesh, Europe and the USA.

Aditi Ramesh is a jazz/blues/r&b/Carnatic vocalist, songwriter, bandleader and producer. She is known for her strong hold on tonal modulations and her ability to mix classical Carnatic music with jazz. Formerly a corporate lawyer, her musicality has experienced exponential growth since she began playing music professionally in 2017. She’s since played at various festivals in India like Nh7 Weekender, Vh1 Supersonic and Echoes of Earth Festival and has performed in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Moscow and Japan. Apart from performing live she also teaches music and composes for independent and ad films.

12 years ago, in 2009, Ashutosh Sharma gave in to his love for music and launched Amarrass Records, an independent label, to front-line folk music and musicians. Since then Amarrass Records has released 20 albums, including field recordings of world-class folk musicians in their homes and villages. Several Amarrass albums have received 5-star reviews by Songlines, UK. The label, Amarrass Records, is also at the forefront of Vinyl revival with the 1st and only Vinyl cutting facility in India. 5 of its albums are available in Long Playing Records that have been cut personally by Ashutosh and his partner, Ankur Malhotra ...., by hand at their small workshop in ... on a machine they bought from.... The label produced close to 50 shows at some of Delhi's historic and heritage venues, including Lodi Gardens and Sunder Nursery. As a DIY label, Ashutosh handles recording, mixing, mastering, design, vinyl production, A & R, producing shows and bad attempts at marketing! He is a vinyl collector and prefers listening to analog music. Ashutosh Sharma has been working since the age of 19, when he started Sadhana Travel Services in 1994 with the USP of handling last-minute travel for news reporters and photographers covering real time news stories, including the Afghan War, Iraqi invasion, Tsunami, earthquakes, etc.......and is now linking the two and plans to launch ' Music Tours' by the end of this year!!

Sandeep Virdee OBE Born in Nakuru, Kenya, Sandeep grew up to the sounds of his father’s (Bhai Gurmit Singh Virdee) tabla. After migrating to London in 1975, Sandeep established ‘Taal - Rhythms of India’ (1986) and founded ‘Tablaonline’ (2004). Following Bhai Gurmit Singh Virdee Ji’s unfortunate demise in 2005, Sandeep organised a one-off tribute – establishing the legacy now known as the Darbar Festival. Presenting key genres of Indian classical music: Hindustani, Carnatic, Dhrupad and Percussion – the Festival provides a platform for great masters and emerging talent from both the UK and abroad. It upholds inclusivity, equality and fair remuneration for artists and regularly conducts educational outreach; with the digital Darbar Concert Hall bringing Indian music to global audiences. In 2017, Sandeep was awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services towards promoting Indian musical heritage in the UK.

Avik Roy is a musician, actor, composer, and producer at Teamwork Arts in New Delhi. While pursuing his undergraduate degree at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA, Roy pursued theatre and music, and was focused on using performance to communicate complexities surrounding certain socio-political issues, often delving into topics such as the Naxalite movement and farmer suicides in India. After playing in a few jazz recitals and college concerts, he staged his first original musical theatre production in May 2013, as part of his final thesis at Hampshire College. On his return to India later that year, he briefly worked with the Planning Commission before working with the Yuva Ekta Foundation on Juvenile Justice. Roy also simultaneously taught the drums at the Salaam Baalak Trust (a children’s home housing and schooling orphaned children), and a couple of his students have now gone on to pursue music full time. After continuing his pursuit of the drums studying under Rueben Narain at One World College of Music and playing with a few bands, Roy launched his solo music project under the name Purple Penchant, releasing his first original music video titled ‘Gotta Say the News’ in April 2019. He is also currently part of the musical troupe Lilanoor Ensemble, for which he plays percussion and guitar, alongside Advaita lead vocalist Chayan Adhikari, fellow Purple Penchant member & vocalist Bhanu Sharma, and French Soprano singer & actor Harmonie Deschamps. Roy joined Teamwork Arts in 2015 and currently is the head of the Art Matters Project & Jazz India Circuit, which produces multiple Jazz festivals across the country with the flagship edition in Goa, along with having worked on several projects and festivals in India, the UK, and USA.