Their take on a 700-year-old song went viral during lockdown, they’ve sold out the Southbank Centre and collaborated with Nitin Sawhney. Duo Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan discuss how they’re giving ancient sacred music a new lease of life
Orchestral Qawwali Project,
Raised in London with Hindu Tamil parents from Sri Lanka who marked all religious holidays, Sampa started playing the veena, a classical Indian string instrument, from the age of seven. When she began singing lessons in Carnatic, south Indian devotional music which evolved from ancient Hindu traditions, Sampa discovered she had a good voice.
Sampa’s vocals are complemented by Ranjan’s innovative scores. The second-generation child of Indian Catholic parents who migrated to Cyprus, Ranjan is a self-taught musician. His talent was initially spotted by Khan’s nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, when they serendipitously performed together at Oxford. It wasn’t until 2016, however, that Ranjan met Sampa. At the time the uncertainty of Brexit had forced him to take a law-firm job instead of focusing on his music.
Unable to afford an entire orchestra, Ranjan enlisted the help of cellist Lydia Alonso, who performed several instrumental pieces for Man Kunto Maula, which he then layered together to create the impression of an ensemble.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PwC, law firms in Sun Cable creditors queueConsulting bigwig PwC is owed money for advisory work on Sun Cable’s flagship Australia-Asia PowerLink project.
Read more »
7.30: Monday 16/1/2023Billionaires fight over Australia's biggest solar energy project. Laura Tingle interviews Mark Dreyfus. The target for all Australian train and tram stops to be accessible for people living with a disability has not been met.
Read more »
Forrest mulls Sun Cable bid – but no Singapore linkAndrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy will go head-to-head with fellow billionaire Mike Cannon-Brooks for control of the clean energy project, but if successful will dump a 4200 km submarine link to Singapore.
Read more »
Mystery illness finally diagnosed seven years after Thailand holidayA young woman from Victoria who contracted a rare parasite on holiday in Thailand is urging travellers to learn from her experience.
Read more »
For this pharma boss, fishing is an experience in positivityHe catches nothing ‘almost always’, but James Graham says that if you try, and keep on trying, the fish will be there somewhere.
Read more »
Peugeot’s little hatch is back, and special in its own wayThe 308 GT’s peachy ride and handling provides a premium driving experience. Whether it’s worth the price is another matter altogether.
Read more »