The enchanting melodies of Vrindavan Sojourn transport you to the sacred realm where Lord Krishna spent his cherished childhood. This captivating composition intricately weaves together a vibrant tapestry of emotions, evoking a profound sense of connection and vitality. Like the colorful tapestry of Vrindavan itself, the composition embraces a harmonious blend of raagas, infusing the music with a euphoric, progressive Indian Classical fusion. Each note resonates with sheer elegance, traversing a spectrum of moods, from playful exuberance to deep love, from jealousy to desire, and finally, the poignant ache of separation. The melodic and rhythmic dynamics seamlessly transition between various time cycles, including 11-beat, 12-beat, and 8-beat cycles, creating a composition rich in diversity and artistic expression.
The brilliance of Vrindavan Sojourn lies not only in the exceptional talent of its composer, Avra Banerjee, but also in the collective prowess of the participating artists. Together, they craft a musical masterpiece that captivates the senses and stirs the soul. The ensemble includes George Brooks on saxophone, Subhen Chatterjee on tabla, Purbayan Chatterjee on sitar, Avra Banerjee on sarod, Gayatri Asokan on vocals, Mainak Nag Chowdhury on bass guitar, Tamal Halder on piano/keys, Sambit Chatterjee on drums, and Bhaswar Dasgupta providing the evocative lyrics.
The songs of Vrindavan Sojourn were expertly mixed by Aditya Srinivasan at Offbeat Music Ventures in Chennai, India. To add the final touch of sonic brilliance, the compositions were mastered by Oli Morgan at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios in the United Kingdom.
In addition to Vrindavan Sojourn, Avra Banerjee presents another captivating musical endeavor titled Manoyatri. This ambitious global music project brings together 22 artists from diverse backgrounds, uniting their talents in four unique compositions. Through these musical offerings, listeners embark on a transcendental and introspective spiritual journey, delving into realms of wisdom, timelessness, serenity, self-realization, love, connections, and synchronicity. Rooted in the earthy tones of Hindustani Classical Music, this extraordinary musical tree branches out into the realms of contemporary and World music. Unconventional and intricate rhythmic time cycles, such as 9/4, 11/4, 13/4, and 15/4, with their complex and mesmerizing rhythmic divisions, infuse the compositions with mesmerizing grooves.
Manoyatri showcases a stellar lineup of renowned artists and performers who have lent their exceptional talents to this extraordinary project. Among them are Swapan Chaudhuri, Taufiq Qureshi, Mahalakshmi Iyer, George Brooks, Subhen Chatterjee, Purbayan Chatterjee, Suchismita Das, Mainak Bumpy Chowdhury, Murad Ali Khan, Ambi Subramanyam, Ojhas Adhiya, Rhythm Shaw, Praashekh Borkar, Gayathri Ashokan, Raghab Chatterjee, Tamal Halder, Himadri Das, Bachospati Chakraborty, Sambit Chatterjee, Sivakumar Balakrishnan, and Bhaswar Dasgupta.
The combined artistry and creativity of these exceptional musicians culminate in a musical experience that transcends boundaries and resonates with audiences worldwide.
