German who is in love with Indian raagas

CHENNAI: The power of music is unimaginable; it connects people regardless of language, class, religion, caste, culture, etc. Similar is the story of Prem Joshua, a German by origin, whose undying passion for music and the love to explore the art form brought him to India. “Almost 40 years back, I was a teenager when I started listening to Indian classical music. When I turned 18, I came to India; that’s when my love affair with India started,” recalls Prem.

Even as a 10-year-old kid, Prem was performing live on stage. He grew up listening to Pandit Ravi Shankar, and naturally, he was inspired by the late veteran. So Prem came to India to learn the sitar and trained under Ustad Usman Khan. Being a multi-instrumentalist and a vocalist, Prem also plays the bamboo flute, soprano saxophone (his core instruments), nadaswaram and the Afghan rabab. 

It must have been challenging to learn all these instruments. How did he do it? “To be able to play one single instrument really well itself takes you a lifetime. When you play so many, you have to make a compromise — because every single one needs your undivided attention. But on the other hand, the advantage is that there are certain things I can express on the flute that I can’t express on the saxophone,” he explains. 

Having released 17 albums, each one a rendition of jazz, raga and world music, Prem agrees that the ideas for his compositions usually come from the nature. “Sometimes when I am walking or just sitting at a park, I come up with a melody or an idea. It inspires me, and I develop on that idea.”Prem is in India for a tour, and he will begin with a performance in the city. “I love the South very much, and especially Chennai. The city makes me feel very comfortable and I also happen to have good friends here,” he smiles. 

Prem Joshua will be playing in Savera Hotel, Samavesh Hall on October 25 from 8 pm onwards. For details call: 9841082652