The Moonah Arts Centre is in the northern part of Hobart, with Moonah building a reputation as the fastest growing multicultural region. It is only fitting that this collaboration of Indian and Australian musicians has been held here. Musicians from the Hindustani traditions mix with Rajasthani folk musicians and Australian players in open sessions of exchange, workshopping and collaboration—mixing old, new, and the unexpected.
It truly is a celebration, as different artists come on stage and merge Indian and Australian music. A drumming head to head confrontation, singers and a combination of Australian and traditional Hindi instruments makes for a very enjoyable taste of music.
Famed Indian classical musician, composer and educator Debashish Bhattacharya performed some pieces on his hand made slide guitars. The term Shruti has two meanings; that of the divine as well as a tiny morsel of sound. The sounds that he creates is truly divine.
Accompanying the musical performances, Goan visual artist TextaQueen has created two large scale murals entitled Bollywouldn’t. One has travel brochures that make up a map of Tasmania, with English place names blacked out and replaced with traditional place names. The other reimagines British history of the roles of colonisation were reversed. The Taj Mahal in place of the Tower of London, for example. Two very whimsical and thought provoking pieces.
Bollywouldn’t is free at the Moonah Arts Centre until 9th March as part of the Mona Foma Festival. Check the website for dates and times
The Shruti Sessions run at Moonah Arts Centre until 25th Feb. See the website for details
There are also free morning meditations in the same venue.
