Natyasutra Online

Music

Guru Dr Pali Chandra relied on experts to support the music composition needed for this project. Producers, singers and musicians from across India joined this project. Poet Jayadeva has already set his prabandhas to certain ragas and talas, but they needed to undergo specific changes in order to be in sync with the modern times. Similarly, Kathak has a strong Hindustani influence, which had to be seamlessly blended into the production. Apart from the flute and veena, modern instruments like the piano and the cello were included.

The recording process was unique as well. Dr Pali Chandra wanted to combine the power of dance and music to engage the audience in the fullest possible sense. So, she originally performed the basic metronome without any background accompaniments and then shared this with the musicians to compose their pieces.

Guru Pali Chandra collected the ragas and talas that suited her vision, and constructed a style that relied on her central interpretation of poet Jayadeva’s work. The Gita Govinda lyrics are deliberately placed rhythmically, and each of the prabandhas has a different meter. The aim of the composition is to present a bouquet, in order to offer something new and vibrant to the listeners and spectators. She worked with her composers and musicians for almost eighteen months to create a musical base for the project.