Jogiraj Sikidar is a creative director for television. Mayura Sandeep is a copywriter with an advertising agency. Nilesh Deshpande is a chemical engineer. Sirisha Anupindi is a Montessori teacher. Sunil Bhide is an IT professional. Ushma Shah is an architect. Bhargavi Komanduri works for an airline. These people belong to different age groups, backgrounds and professions but their love of Indian classical music has brought them together. They are all members of Malhaar, UAE's first Indian music choir. The group, which was formed last year, now has more than 25 members and has organised several public performances in Dubai.
Sikidar, the driving force behind this choir has trained in Hindustani classical choral music for two decades. "When I moved to Dubai four years ago, I found that there is a general perception here that Indian music is only Bollywood music. This is partly because of lack of exposure to Indian classical and folk music. However, I did meet some people who were interested in learning Hindustani classical music and I began teaching them on the weekends. Gradually I came across many others who wanted to be involved with classical music but did not know how and where to start. Hence, I suggested that we form a choir where we can all sing together. And we decided to name it Malhaar, after the raga connected with rain because rain is always welcome in the desert," he says.
Time out for music
All the members of this group have full-time jobs but find time to get together every week to sing and further explore the depth and variety of Indian music. "Our group includes professional and amateur singers and instrumentalists with different levels of musical ability but we enjoy performing together because we are all on the same wavelength," says Sikidar.
"Our sound is unique because our compositions blend the intricacies and variety of the Indian music system with the disciplined harmony of a Western choir. And we perform different genres of Indian music, ranging from complex classical numbers to colourful folk songs in many different Indian languages," he adds.
With the aim of showcasing India's rich musical heritage to the UAE's multicultural audience, the group has organised several themed concerts. Their first public performance was at the Global Village last year. That led to an invitation by the Indian Consul General to perform patriotic songs at the Indian Republic Day celebrations. Their next show was for the Holi festival where they presented traditional Holi songs in various languages from different states of India. They are now busy preparing for a show titled Rooh-e-Ishq, which combines music, theatre, poetry and art to present the life and thoughts of four great Sufi masters — Jalal-Eddin Rumi, Amir Khusrow, Bulleh Shah and Kabir. The show follows the journey of Sufism through myriad lands and languages from the Whirling Dervishes of Persia to the quawwals of Punjab in the subcontinent.
"We did extensive research to be able to convey to our audience every aspect of the Sufi way of life and the essence of Sufism," says Sikidar. "Every Malhaar member has contributed in putting this show together. Some members did in-depth research on the lives of each poet, the poetry and the music. Others are involved in creating the sets and costumes for each segment, organising the rehearsals or using their expertise in marketing and advertising to help us promote the event," says Sikidar.
The group has also roped in drama group Theatrewallas to organise the theatrical element of the show featuring enactments of key episodes in the lives of the Sufi poets and a narrator who connects the various segments together. Malhaar is also collaborating with UAE-based artists to create paintings depicting the life and times of the featured poets. Adding a special note will be well-known sarangi and shehnai players invited from India.
"Malhaar is a not for profit group and our only motivation is our passion for music. Shows such as these help to keep up the momentum of the group and help us to learn more about different genres of music. But our ultimate aim is to experiment creatively with our combined talent, to enjoy music and have fun," says Sikidar.
This attitude has attracted music lovers of many nationalities, including an Iranian singer and an Emirati oud player to Malhaar.
Assad Haider, a Pakistani member says: "It is amazing to be part of this group. The common passion for music and the shared responsibility of organising this show has created a wonderful bond between us. I have always been interested in music but started training with Sikidar only recently. And I really look forward to the lessons and the rehearsals."
A growing circle
Meenu Muralee, a sales engineer with an Italian company in Dubai, echoes this sentiment. "When I moved to Dubai two years ago I did not know anybody here. Thanks to this group, I now have so many friends who share my passion for music.
"I trained in Carnatic music from childhood but now I am enjoying learning about not only Hindustani music but also topics such as Sufism, theatre, art and team work. Being with the group is a wonderful way to de-stress and I never miss any of the rehearsals," she says.
For sisters Kruti and Ushma Shah, Malhaar has opened up a new world. "Growing up in Dubai, we had no exposure to this kind of music and never thought beyond Bollywood. But now we do not find Bollywood music so appealing," says Kruti. "Sikidar is an extremely knowledgeable and patient teacher and has helped me to discover the singer in me. As a beginner it is wonderful to get the opportunity to sing alongside so many gifted performers."
Musician Abhay Samant, who has been organising music shows in Dubai for many years, is also happy to be associated with Malhaar. "I love the atmosphere in this group. And I am happy that Malhaar is bringing different kinds of Indian music to audiences in Dubai," he says.
Rooh-e-Ishq
The theme of Malhaar's next show, titled Rooh-e-Ishq, is Sufism. Organised in collaboration with drama group Theatrewallas, the show — to be held on June 11 — will present the life and work of Sufi masters Jalal-Eddin Rumi, Kabir, Amir Khusrow and Bulleh Shah through a combination of music, theatre, poetry and art. It will also include a segment on contemporary Sufi music from Bollywood and pop-albums. The event will feature performances by renowned sarangi and shehnai players from India. For more information, contact malhaar.choir@gmail.com
Jyoti Kalsi is a UAE-based art enthusiast.
