A spectacular fusion of tradition and modernity, the Aikya 2024 concert held in the esteemed Music Academy, swelled with an audience reflective of the new generation’s embrace of culture – one that is beyond the confines of conventionality. At the heart of this event, Global Adjustments, known for their annual curations, showcased their belief that music is a universal language capable of uniting diverse individuals. Emphasizing this theme was the performance of the Agam band from Bengaluru, which stood as a testament to this powerful notion.
The Bengaluru-based band’s appearance on stage was met with electric enthusiasm by predominantly young attendees, their voices raised in harmony for classic renditions like ‘Rangapura Vihara’ and ‘Manavyalakinchara’. The synchronicity of the crowd’s flawless sruti along with the band’s modern instruments set an electrifying atmosphere, far removed from the silent reverence traditionally reserved for kutcheris. It was under the pulse of strobe lights that the audience celebrated, their exuberance manifesting in joyful exclamation.
Some may view the incorporation of anya swaras into ‘Brindavana Saranga’ as a step too far, a flouting of classical dogma. Yet, what unfolded at the Aikya 2024 concert was not dissent but a vibrant amalgamation of heritage and progress, classical and contemporary, reverberated by the coming together of young and old alike.
Harish Sivaramakrishnan, Agam’s lead vocalist, could not evade the expectations that lingered upon his well-acclaimed compositions. The audience, hungry for the familiar, delighted in performances of numbers such as ‘Sree ragamo’, Dhanashri tillana, ‘Chandra chooda’ in Darbari Kanada, and ‘Subrahmanyena’ in Suddha Dhanyasi. It was no surprise they wanted classics, and the band, ever the crowd pleasers, delivered with enthusiasm.
Harish’s dynamic vocal prowess, which boasts an ability to oscillate between resonant power and tender subtlety, never fails to enthrall attendees. His interpretive skills with the classical genre, paired with his capacity to connect and communicate, attests to his mastery. His bandmates, a crew of accomplished musicians, stood out in their own right. Swaminathan Seetharaman (keyboard), Praveen Kumar (lead guitar), Jagadis Natarajan (rhythm guitar), Aditya Kashyap (bass guitar), Yadhunandan Nagarajan (drums), and Sivakumar Nagarajan (Indian percussion) each brought exceptional talent to the table. The culmination of their performance was a grand jugalbandi, a rhythmic battle alongside drums, leaving the audience in rapturous applause.
Originating in 2003, Agam has embarked on a creative expedition to blend seemingly dissonant musical elements to form an eclectic music experience, combining Carnatic music originating from the likes of Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar with genres such as Blues and Funk Rock. The synergy on stage was palpable and the crowd’s unwavering support indicated a resounding success of their experimentations in sonic alchemy. Nevertheless, as with any evolutionary process, Agam would benefit from expanding its musical canvas, possibly integrating additional classical instruments to heighten the depth and texture of their artistry.
Meaningful not only in cultural significance, the proceeds from the Aikya annual concerts contribute to a noble cause. Each year the funds are directed towards the empowering education of girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds through the Global Adjustments Foundation, Championwoman. These concerts do more than celebrate music—they foster hope, uplift communities, and open doors of possibility to those who most need it.
The architect behind this piece, R. Seshasayee, brings his rich passion as a chairman of major corporations like Asian Paints and as Vice Chairman of the Hinduja Group. His patronage and fine appreciation for the arts and music lend a deeply informed perspective on the ensemble’s performances and the profound impact of the musical event. Through the jubilant expressions celebrated at Aikya 2024, the audience bore witness to a shared vision of unity – through the strings and strikes, melodies and beats, of Agam’s sound that truly transcends labels.
