Most artists have packed Margazhi schedules, with back-to-back concerts filling their December calendars. Flautist J.A. Jayanth is no different.
“It’s a refreshing change, definitely,” he says of the two jugalbandhis that will see him partnering with Hindustani bansuri exponent Ronu Majumdar and shehnai artist Ashwani Shankar. While it’s not the first time for either collaboration, Jayanth says the novelty lies in the energy that each artist brings to stage, as well as the rapport he shares with each senior musician.
The flute-shehnai jugalbandhi is novel territory, as opposed to the flute duet that has been done by masters before. The challenge, both Jayanth and Ashwani add, lies in creating a complimentary aesthetic for the audience.
“We might be presenting two trains of thought on stage, but at one point, the music must merge and sound as one. It must be truly universal.”
The jugalbandhis are set to take place on December 17 and January 3 at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore, and Bharat Kalachar, respectively.