19:15-19:45 - introduction by Arjan Linker, interview with Soumalya Mukhopadhyay
20:00 - Start concert

Soumalya Mukhopadhyay is a famous slide Guitarist from Kolkata, North India. He will perform Traditional Indian classical music, which is based on Raga, the melodic aspect, and Tala, the rhythmic aspect. There are currently two styles of classical music. Dhrupad is the oldest form, sober and pure, and Khayal, the modern form, which has many aspects of Dhrupad but is more ornamented.

Indian Classical music is based on a modal system and uses only one mode, tone ladder, per Raga. In performance, both styles are basically improvised and begin with an introductory part where the melodic characteristics of the raga are developed. Thereafter, the fixed compositions begin, which act as themes within the ragas' characteristic boundaries, and are performed in various rhythmic structures, which are called talas. Toss Levy will then join in and accompany Soumalya on the old-style Jori and the modern-style tablas.

Soumalya Mukhopadhyay - Slide Guitar
Toss Levy - Tabla