When SaReGaMa meets DoReMi

CHENNAI: Imagine traditional Carnatic ragas and thalas with a bit of bass note or drums...that’s the tune for GrooVida, a band that was formed in the beginning of 2017 by a group of musician friends who share a background in Carnatic and film music. They perform what they call ‘neo-Carnatic’ genre of music. “It was around two years ago when I was performing at the Chennaiiyil Thiruvaiyaru that I wanted my friends to perform with me. Other than the normal mridangam and violin, we included keyboard, bass and percussion, and I realised it sort of clicke; so that is how we gave birth to GrooVida,” smiles Haricharan Seshadri.

The six-member band consists of Haricharan Seshadri (vocals), Aalaap Raju (bass), Raghavasimhan (electric violin), Akshay Ram (mridangam, cajon & konnakol), Vikram Rozario (percussion, cajon & tabla) and Ravi G (keys & arrangement). Although the band was started to make music that sounded different, Haricharan says that he did not want it to be like any other normal fusion band.

“I wanted my music to be structured and give Carnatic kritis a different sound. After the performance, I and wanted to record a couple of them in the studio — so we shot some videos and recorded,” he recalls.
So how do they blend in the western instruments with Carnatic tunes? “The thing is I don’t have to necessarily play a Carnatic element or a gamaga in the piece.

The bass allows you to play lower notes to connect the rhythm and harmony together and then elevate it. It is an added advantage to know a bit of Carnatic music and the raagas. You should atleast know the janya raaga. This is important to do justice to the piece you are doing,” explains Aalaap Raju.
The band, which is popularly known for their song  Maname KaNamum, seems all set for their live performance at the Bharat Sangeet Utsav.

GrooVida will be performing today from 7 pm onwards at Alwarpet. For details,
call: 9444018269