The Shruti Sessions

Sunday 18-Sunday 25 February 2024

Ten of the world’s most talented and celebrated musicians from India and Australia will travel to Moonah Arts Centre during Mona Foma, for an intensive musical residency to learn from each other, share their influences and experience to become a brand-new ensemble, performing for two nights only at Moonah Arts Centre.

Each performance will be a unique experience; a presentation of the relationship formed between these world-class musicians during the residency. Each night will be led by different members of the ensemble, offering a new experience for audiences in an intimate setting.

The Shruti Sessions is supported by the Centre of Australia-India Relations. Mona Foma and Moonah Arts Centre proudly co-present The Shruti Sessions residency at Moonah Arts Centre.

FEATURING:  

ADRIAN SHERRIFF
A performer, composer, teacher and multi-instrumentalist (who initially favoured the trombone, but plays a bunch of traditional stringed, woodwind and percussion stuff as well) who grew up among the Lani people in West Papua.

ANANDI (SUKANYA) BHATTACHARYA
A child prodigy from a storied musical family, Anandi’s carved out an impressive solo career of her own as a vocalist: an appearance on an NPR Tiny Desk concert; a collaboration with Norah Jones; swags of international awards; number one albums; all in a day’s work.

ASIN KHAN LANGA
One of the most proficient young master musicians in his Sarangiya Langa community, Asin sings and plays the Sindhi Sarangi—an unusual stringed instrument carved from a single block of wood that can almost mimic the human voice.

BENJAMIN WALSH
A percussionist of rare energy, versatility and talent, Benjamin started his career with a junk percussion trio called Pablo Percusso and has never looked back, playing stages, Spiegeltents and Sydney Opera Houses the world over.

BOBBY SINGH
Bobby spent a good deal of his childhood in Mumbai, studying at Sangeet Mahabharati, an institute of music started by tabla maestro Pandit Nikhil Ghosh. Now an internationally  renowned tabla player himself, he’s known for his seamless combining of tradition and modernity.

DEBASHISH BHATTACHARYA
‘Musician of musicians and guitarist of guitarists’, Debashish is one of the world’s greatest slide guitarists: combining blinding technical dexterity and a mastery of both Hindustani classical music and modern world music, he’s genuinely one of one.

JEFF LANG
Though he largely trades in roots-oriented rock, Jeff’s not that easily pinned down—a stylistically roaming, quiet achiever who’s released over thirty albums and graced some of the most storied stages in the world (and played with Bob Dylan).

SADIQ KHAN
Hailing from the Langa community of Rajasthan, Sadiq’s been playing the dholak (a two-headed hand drum) since he was eight years old, and is part of the close-knit trio SAZ alongside Zakir and Asin.

SANDY EVANS
Sandy—a doctor of music and OAM recipient—is an internationally renowned saxophonist, improviser and composer who’s been playing, recording and collaborating locally and internationally for over forty years.

ZAKIR KHAN
Player of the khartal—a rare percussive instrument played only by the Langa and Manganiyar communities of western Rajasthan—and a talented but unassuming vocalist, Zakir is in understandably high demand as an accompanist and collaborator.

TICKETS HERE

– SHRUTI SESSIONS SHOW 1 –

7pm—9pm, Thursday 22 February

Ensemble led by Debashish and Anandi Bhattacharya

$40—$50 + BF

– SHRUTI SESSIONS SHOW 2 –

7pm—9pm, Saturday 24 February

Ensemble led by Bobby Singh, Jeff Lang, Asin Khan\

$40—$50 + BF

THE SHRUTI SESSIONS:  FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS

During the residency, we’re thrilled to invite the community to watch the magic of this ensemble collaborate!

WORK-IN-PROGRESS AUDIENCE VIEWINGS (FREE) 

Between 11am-12pm on Friday 23-Sunday 25 February, we invite the community to be a fly on the wall and watch the ensemble rehearse at MAC. No booking required.

ENSEMBLE LED MORNING MEDITATIONS (FREE) 

Between 9-11am on Sunday 18, Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February, we invite the community to participate in morning mediations at MAC, while a member of the ensemble serenades the space.