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Vasumathi Badrinathan: â€œMugham festival is beautiful showcase of Azerbaijani musical heritageâ€

29 March 2009 11:21 (UTC +04:00)

APA interviews with Doctor Vasumathi Badrinathan, singer of the Indian Carnatic music and participant of the 1st International Mugham Festival â€œThe World of Mughamâ€ in Baku.

- What is the Carnatic music?

- I am a musician of Indian classical music, singer of Carnatic songs. We have two streams in Indian classical music â€“ northern Hindustani and southern Carnatic music. The Indian music generally is very ancient form of the music. In Carnatic music, we have some typical presentations in structure, using a lot of compositions and improvisations. This music relates to the spiritual and philosophical heritage of India.

- How did the audience receive it and how did you find the festival?

- The festival is beautiful and the Mugham Center is very beautiful. It is beautiful showcase of the Azerbaijani and cultural and musical heritage. I am very happy to be here as the first Indian musician in Azerbaijan and to present the Carnatic music. I was enjoying with my concert for two reasons. One, so many musicians, not only Azeri musicians, but musicians from other countries as well came to the festival. I enjoyed with beautiful auditory and the people very liked it, because they met me after the concert and told that they enjoyed with the Carnatic music.

- Did you have any information about Azerbaijani mugham before coming here?

-Yes. I listened to mugham before and find it as very beautiful form of music. I listened to Alim Gasimov and his daughter, other mugham musicians before. I like it because it is like the Carnatic music, with a lot of improvisations and depts. We found feeling and emotion in mugham.

- Do you plan some joint programs and concerts?

- We had some joint sessions with Azeri jazz pianist Salman Gambarov and Iraqi mugham musician from New York. Today we had very beautiful session in Jazz Club and we want to do presentation there tomorrow. I am planning to work with Azeri musicians to see how Azeri and Carnatic music come out.

- What is your impression about Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis?

- This is very beautiful country. Baku is very beautiful city. Azerbaijanis are very friendly, very hospitable and very warm. You show common values with Indians. Two people gave me some CDs today. I was also happy to meet Alim Gasimov and his daughter yesterday.