Ireland-based Raga Pianist, Utsav Lal sets Indian ragas to passionate compositions, making him a one-of-a-kind classical concert pianist. in the middle of his most extensive India tour, he talks to FYI
Ireland-based Raga Pianist, Utsav Lal sets Indian ragas to passionate compositions, making him a one-of-a-kind classical concert pianist. in the middle of his most extensive India tour, he talks to FYI
At 16, you are wasting time. There is little or no discipline in your schedule. And "focus" and "dreams" run as deep as the next big instant gratification, a new pass time. But for Lal, who "eats, sleeps, lives, dreams music", there is anything but confusion in his pursuit. While his voice and tone are like any other 16 year-old's a little muffled with a lack of enunciation, and mostly casual ask him about his fortu00e9 and you know he is not your regular kid. This Delhi-born-Ireland-based prodigy started playing the piano at 7, bagged his debut concert at 9, and soon enrolled at the Delhi School of Music. "I started by playing a lot of old Bollywood film music including Mohammed Rafi and Raj Kapoor hits, which were classical and raag-based." This led to his interest in pure Indian classical music. Though the piano is not used extensively in Indian classical music, Lal knew it had potential. "I started experimenting and soon, I was able to play what I had imagined," he says.
A typical Utsav Lal concert includes an accompanist on stage. "That's essentially the format of an Indian classical concert. A tabla player, he says, is best fitted for my performance." But, ever since Lal's father got transferred to Dublin four years ago, a tabla player has had to be flown in from the UK, for every concert. "But in Ireland, we have found a Mridangam player and an Irish musician who is learning to play the tabla. The digital tabla is also an option, but it is not as satisfying." 
Music degrees at the Trinity School of Music, London (Grade 8 certification as a Concert Pianist) and his current training under Irish concert pianist Padharic O'cunniegain at the DIT Conservatory of Music, have influenced his individual style. "Moving to Ireland has made me understand the piano as an instrument, to the fullest. Plus, the training in Western classical and Jazz music that I found here, would be impossible to find in India." The concert is largely based on improvisation, like any other classical/jazz concert, so no two Utsav Lal concerts ever sound the same. "The performance hardly changes according to venue or crowd. Often, a concert outside India may have longer jugalbandi pieces, because they love that stuff. But there are very subtle changes," he explains. What largely affects his performance is the kind of piano he is given. "Most musicians carry their own instrument around and develop a special bond with it. But, the piano is not possible to lug around. There will always be a difference in terms of touch, hardness of keys, responsiveness, depending on make, age and tuning," he adds.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Breaking boundaries in piano playing
Titled, Piano Moods of Indian Raagas, Utsav launched his debut album in September 2008 on a tour of India. "But this time around, I am travelling to six cities and including workshops alongside concerts," says Lal, who visits Delhi a couple of times a year. The workshops, called Breaking Boundaries, will introduce the Indian audience to different ideas of improvisation and performance, "u2026And even get over stage fright," he adds. So what's his next big tour going to look like? "I haven't planned anything yet. But, I know that I wouldn't have wanted to do anything else but play the piano. And now I know that more than ever before."u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Log onto https://www.utsavlal.com/u00a0u00a0u00a0
Enjoys listening to
Ryan Adams > The White Stripes > Radiohead > Minimalist pianist Le Monte Young > Lambchop > Traditional Irish and Hungarian folk tunes
His influences in Indian classical include: Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Dhrupad style of music, Ustad Dagar, Shujat Khan, Shahid Parvez and Pt. Shivkunmar Verma
In Jazz: Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Miles Davis and Bill Evans
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Also part of a rock band in Ireland
This hybrid mix of diverse musicians (usually 6 to 8 members), who call themselves Little Green Cars, dish out rock music with a wide range of influences injected by each member. Each band member comes from a different field of music a lead guitarist who has a Bob Dylan style of playing, a classical percussionist/jazz drummer, a violinist who plays traditional Irish music, and of course, Lal who plays Indian and Western classical music. They write their own music and practice every day.
Catch Utsav Lal live in concert on August 4 at 9 pm at Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel.
Call: 40332300.
Entry: Rs 300 per head.
Breaking Boundaries workshop conducted by Utsav Lal will be held on August 1 between 4 pm and 7 pm at Furtados, Andheri (W).
For registrations, call Peter Monis on 26211801 / 32193680.
The workshop is free-of-cost and on first-cum-first-serve basis. Registration is a must.
After Mumbai, Utsav Lal will perform in Cochin, Bangalore and Kolkata.u00a0
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