Global Gathering at the Indo-Persian Musical Junction, Drawing Audience from Various Continents
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's Department of Ethnomusicology recently hosted an enlightening series titled "The Indo-Persian Musical Confluence." This interdisciplinary event, held from November 2020 to May 2021, aimed to rekindle interest in and bring awareness of the fabulously rich and fascinating history of Indo-Persian musical cultures.
The series expanded the focus beyond India to include Afghanistan, Central Asia, present-day Iran, and lesser-researched regions such as Kashmir and Gujarat. The events featured panel discussions with distinguished scholars and musicians, live performances showcasing classical and contemporary music inspired by or derived from both Indian and Persian musical traditions, and sponsors and collaborators including academic departments at UCLA, cultural organizations, and external sponsors that support South Asian and Middle Eastern arts and music studies.
Among the eight events held in the series, some notable highlights include:
- Event I: Modal Negotiations (November 8, 2020) featured panelists Taees Gheirati, Deepak Paramashivan, Behzad Namazi, chaired and discussed by Ann Lucas. The event included a performance by Rahul Neuman (sitar, UCLA) and Naghme Sarang (kamancheh, UCLA).
- Event II: Persian Poetry in Indian Music (November 22, 2020) included panelists Suresh Chandvankar, Anoushka Deb, Syed Yaser Ali, Pushpita Mitra, chaired and discussed by Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak. The event featured a performance by Pallabi Chakravorty.
- Event III: Indo-Persian Musical Hybrids in Afghanistan (January 31, 2021) had panelists John Baily, Lorraine Sakata, Mark Slobin, chaired and discussed by Richard Wolf. The event included a performance by Homayun Sakhi (rubab).
- Event IV: From Tajikistan to Gujarat (February 21, 2021) featured panelists Mejgan Massoumi, Ariane Zevaco, Jean During, Brian Bond, chaired and moderated by George Mürer. The event included a recorded performance of Music of Baluchistan by Essaq Baluch and ensemble.
- Event V: Indo-Persian Musical Confluence in the Qawwali Tradition (February 28, 2021) included panelists Wajiha Naqvi, Dhruv Sangari, Shahwar Kibria Maqhfi, chaired and discussed by Peter Manuel. The event featured a performance by Saami Brothers Qawwal.
- Event VI: Indo-Persian Texts on Music (April 25, 2021) had panelists Yousuf Saeed, Françoise 'Nalini' Delvoye, Assadullah Shour, Pegah Shahbaz, chaired and moderated by Joep Bor. The event included a performance by Saznawaz Family Ensemble, Traditional Music of Kashmir on Persian Poetry.
- Event VII: Indo-Persian Music Histories I (May 2, 2021) featured panelists William Rees Hofmann, Katherine Butler Schofield, Richard Davis Williams, Ayesha Sheth, chaired and moderated by Vivek Virani. The event included a performance by Sumeet Anand, Dhrupad performance.
- Event VIII: Indo-Persian Music Histories II (May 16, 2021) included panelists Max G. Katz, Allyn Miner, Dard Neuman, Richard Widdess, chaired and moderated by Bonnie Wade. The event featured a performance by Ustad Naseeruddin Saami (Pakistan), Khayal performance.
Exceptional performances by musicians such as Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and his sons, Homayoun Sakhi, the Saznawaz Family, and more were included in the series. The lectures and performances from the series are available in the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive's online archive.
More events are being planned in this series, and the webpage of the Indo-Persian Musical Confluence can be found online for more information. For the precise details about the most recent series, such as the names of panelists, performance programs, and sponsors, I recommend consulting the official UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music website or contacting the school directly.
- A reader interested in expanding their knowledge on the rich history and diverse culture of fashion, music, and books could explore the education-and-self-development section of a bookstore, finding titles such as "Rhythms of Persia: A Historical and Stylistic Analysis of Indo-Persian Music" by Ann Lucas or "Indo-Persian Poetry in Music" by Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak.
- An individual intrigued by the culinary delights found in the regions of India and Persia may enjoy a food-and-drink tasting event that features dishes like biryani, palak paneer, and kebabs, paired with Persian teas or wines, created by celebrated chefs inspired by the Indo-Persian confluence.
- For someone looking to stay updated on fashion-and-beauty trends, they could attend a design showcase featuring clothing and accessories inspired by Indo-Persian musical histories, worn by models walking the runway to the rhythm of traditional music, much like the dhrupad performance by Sumeet Anand in the UCLA's Indo-Persian Musical Confluence series.
