Composer and sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee’s latest Classicool project ushers in a new generation of musicians

(From left) Sangeet Haldipur, Ojas Adhiya, Nastya Saraswati, Purbayan Chatterjee, Megha Rawoot and Shikhar Naad Qureshi. Pic Courtesy/Ray Mudafare

Evolution is the law of nature, and music, too. Composer and sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee's latest iteration of the project Classicool includes a new roster of names that indicate a changing of the guard in the genre of fusion music.

"The name ‘classicool' suggests reinvention and innovation. I jokingly talk about the fact that every new generation comes with artificial intelligence fitted into their brain," the city-based sitarist explains over email from Australia. Classicool was founded in 2014 with an alumni of musicians that included Gino Banks, Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia and Anubrata Chatterjee among others.

Now, a new generation - Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Sangeet Haldipur (keyboard), Shikhar Naad Qureshi (percussions), Nastya Saraswati (violins) and Megha Rawoot (sitar) - joins Chatterjee on the four-track EP that will release on August 7. "They have a unique ability to connect musical dots from generation to generation and to bring something fresh every time they come on board," he says.

Purbayan Chatterjee. Pic Courtesy/Harish Iyer

The first track from the mix, Pace of Mind, was released last week. Performed in the past by Ustad Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan and Louis Banks, the song is a bridge between the past and future. Chatterjee explains, "Each great artist has brought their own flavour to this song. What makes it a favourite is its simplicity of structure." The new track, another evolution, has an added chittaswaram [phrasing of swaras] - courtesy Ustad Zakir Hussain who improvised on it during a recent concert.

This stylistic difference runs through the EP. Alongside its traditional inflections, it captures a modern sensibility. Chatterjee adds, "This EP has a brand-new sound, which I am exploring through my revived transparent sitar - the see-tar. In a couple of the songs, we have also used mathematical divisions of Carnatic korvais [complex, rhythmic patterns], and bolstered the accents with harmonic arrangements."

One standout is the interpretation of Bach Minuet through the see-tar and violins. An idea brought out by Nastya Saraswati, the musician reveals. "We decided to use a new edit of this well-known melody, and bring some Indian inflections to give it an endearing innocence."

At the heart of it all is the composer's sitar that blends technology and tradition. Chatterjee reveals that he continuously adapts the instrument's technology, enabling a different sound. "The entire purpose of the project was to bring harmonic perspective and a new sound within the parameters of raga music," the composer clarifies.

Currently on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, the sitarist hopes to take Classicool on tour once the EP releases. "When one goes on tour and starts playing together, it germinates fresh musical ideas, which I am sure will culminate in new singles," he says, indicating the beginning of a new journey.

Log on to: Pace of Mind on Spotify; YouTube; Purbayan Chatterjee on Spotify