Panchnaad – A Kiwi Experience is a cross-cultural musical exchange between classical Indian ensemble Panchnaad (led by sarod maestro Vikash Maharaj), New Zealand-based Indian vocalists Viraj Salvi and Sandhya Rao, and Indian-based Kiwi saxophonist/flautist Jarrod Wood. Presented by Crossings Trust – www.crossings.org.nz – the ensemble has been brought to New Zealand with the support of Cathay Pacific.
Pandit Vikash Maharaj founded Panchnaad in the holy city of Varanasi in northern India in 1982. Vikash Maharaj and his son, tabla player Prabhash, come from a long line of classical musicians dating back over 500 years.
‘Since the time we were born we were listening to music and we played music,’ he says. ‘In our family, no one does business or whatever, any kind of other job.’
Vikash’s ambition is to popularise Indian music worldwide. He also creates fusion music, having performed with such jazz greats as Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis.
‘We continue our tradition to make music and perform the music and bring the music round the whole world,’ he says. ‘Making peace around the world, because music is what reaches the heart.’
Jarrod Wood is a saxophonist and flautist from Wellington, New Zealand, who has made India his home since 2005. He moved to Mumbai to undertake a period of study under Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the leading exponent of Hindustani classical flute playing. His involvement in the Mumbai music scene has seen him become a sought after flautist, saxophonist, producer, arranger, and writer. He has worked with some of India’s top musicians, including Louis Banks, Taufiq Qureshi, and Niladri Kumar.
Sandhya Rao migrated to India two years ago bringing with her the treasures of Hindustani classical music that she inherited from Indian music maestros such as Pandit Phiroze Dastoor, Dr Prabha Atre, and Mohinderjit Singh. She has recently started a music academy in Auckland called Swar Sadhana, which provides students in New Zealand with an opportunity to gain a diploma in Hindustani classical music.
Viraj Salvi learned Hindustani classical music from the age of seven from Pandit Madhukar Joshi of Mumbai. He has won several regional and national singing competitions in India and has lent his voice to three albums.