Indian classical music concert
Where Ragas Meet with Ila and KJ Diliip / Sunaad Anoor / Kees van Boxtel
South Indian sounds in Circus Hakim – an encounter between Carnatic music and the bansuri
South Indian classical music, also known as Carnatic music, is an ancient tradition in which melody, rhythm, and improvisation come together in an intense musical dialogue. Central to this music is the raga—a melodic world that unfolds in subtle ornamentation, expression, and spontaneous creativity. Tonight, three exceptional musicians from India present a concert in which this rich tradition comes to life.
The singer and violinist Ila Sangeetha Diliip is a versatile artist who has developed a strong musical personality both vocally and on the violin. She has performed in India and internationally, including in Europe, Canada, and Africa, and is known for her expressive interpretations and her ability to connect various art forms. Her concerts can range from intimate melodic lines to virtuosic rhythmic structures such as elaborate Raga-Tana-Pallavi compositions.
Violist KJ Diliip comes from a family of musicians and received his training from, among others, the legendary violin master MS Gopalakrishnan. He has performed in many countries and is both a respected soloist and accompanist. Together with Ila, he forms a unique musical duo known for their vocal-violin and violin-duet concerts, in which the voice and violin complement each other in a special way.
The rhythmic foundation of the ensemble is provided by Sunaad Anoor on kanjira, the South Indian frame drum. As a fifth-generation musician from a family of instrumentalists, he has developed his own style in which the rich tradition of Carnatic rhythms blends with influences from jazz, folk, and other world music. His spontaneous and energetic playing makes him a sought-after percussionist on international stages.
After the intermission, a special encounter between North and South Indian music takes place. The Dutch bansuri player Kees (Cornelis) van Boxtel joins the musicians for two ragas. The bansuri, the bamboo flute from the Hindustani tradition of North India, brings a lyrical and meditative timbre into dialogue with the Carnatic style of the South Indian musicians.
In this way, a musical conversation emerges between two great classical traditions of India – connected by improvisation, attentive interplay, and the timeless power of the raga.