Kolkata, The latest musical album “Rang”, which is a collaboration of
Percussionist Bickram Ghosh and Violinist Kala Ramnath, truly reflects unity of India
in its diversity with this interpolation of Hindustani and Carnatic variations of Indian
music.Bickram Ghosh and Kala Ramnath come together again (after last year’s celebrated
album Paperboats) to create yet another intensely evocative album in Rang. It is Indian
music at its best by two of the best artists in the world in their respective fields.It is an intense sound rooted in the great tradition of Indian classical music , yet broadening its horizons through the inclusion of folk elements as well as influences from other world traditions.The unique compositions and breath-taking virtuosity of the musicians make Rang an intense and impactful experience.Composed and created through great difficulty in a year in which our beloved planet has been struck by a terrifying pandemic, Rang subtly touches upon the subject of the victory of the human spirit through the toughest of challenges.The lyrics of the songs persistently speak of a sense of celebration amidst all odds. The celebration of life itself which has the potential to rise like the phoenix through any challenge. If we stick together, setting aside all differences of color, creed and culture we will inevitably create a world of beauty where the beautiful notes of Krishna’s flute strengthen our souls.”Our last collaboration Paperboats was quite celebrated too, especially in the West. This year’s collaboration Rang is a deeper sound, more rooted in Indian sentiments, feelings and emotions and at the same addresses a certain sense of celebration through the concept
of colour. And it also looks at the larger ramifications of colour divide in the world,” said
Bickram.”During the lockdown, I worked from my studio every day and Kala did the same from her
home. Most are surprised how it has shaped up considering the fact that it was made during
the lockdown,”he added..”Rang was conceptualised and worked on during the lockdown due to the pandemic. When
Bickram approached, I said yes. It was shot and recorded from our homes as we couldn’t
meet each other. It was a challenge but with a lot of to and fro in response, we managed the
flow of thought and continuity,” Kala said.Color is diversity. It signifies celebration. Color cannot be beheld without the gift of vision. Vision is a sense. On a subtler level it is a sensibility. Through Rang the artists communicate
a vision. A vision of beauty which cannot exist without diversity, without a sense of
inclusiveness.The artists here are communicating a visual experience through the medium of sound.
Hence Rang or color becomes a metaphor. What we hear conjures up colors in our mind’s
eye. That is then projected through sound. Somewhere along the line the senses of sound
and vision overlap.In India there is the festival of Holi which is a celebration of colour. This festival in turn is
connected to the Lord Krishna who has traditionally been portrayed as being of dark color.
Krishna symbolizes a just universe. He is at once the Lord of Romance and also the executor
of justice.The allusion to Krishna gives the metaphor of color myriad layers. Delving deep, the
listener can uncover various levels of meaning that the artist’s touch upon subtly.