In tune with GenNext dalreen ramos dalreen. ramos@ mid- day. com ROOTED in Persian, Aamad or u201c entranceu201d in Indian classical music signifies the first breath, a graceful entrance, before reaching the sam, ie the first strike, in a taal. Tomorrow, the term serves as the name of a concert put together by The Sound Space ( TSS) in collaboration with percussionist Taufiq Qureshi, who along with his band Surya and Mumbai Stamp will also perform alongside over 150 students aged above three years. On a Saturday afternoon, when we drop by a rehearsal in Chowpatty, the excitement is palpable. Thereu2019s a lot of chatter around costumes, which we later learn have been designed by TSS co- founders Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana, and the practice sessions proceed in batches comprising children from schools and NGOs. The Khurana sisters conduct the rehearsal with infectious energy u2014 no one is bored and even a three- yearold is giving the singing her best shot. When the energy dips for a second, the adults cheekily say, u201c If Taufiqji plays the djembe like this, no one will attend.u201d The show has been in the works for six months, and Qureshi readily came on board five months ago. Talking about what the audience can expect to hear, Kamakshi says, u201c Thereu2019s a piece by Taufiqjiu2019s band Mumbai Stamp [ comprising drummers who use waste material as instruments] which has been specially conceived for the show. Even Rhydhun, drawing from his debut album, has been modified according to what the children can do,u201d while Vishala adds, u201c I think children can do more [ on stage] because they donu2019t know what theyu2019re doing. They donu2019t really know how tough the raag theyu2019re singing is. If that were me, I would be under so much stress.u201d Anika Chandra, a 14- year- old student from Dhirubai Ambani International School tells us that she along with her friend Anya have worked on getting five children from the Jai Vakeel School in Parel that caters to intellectually disabled children to join in on a piece at the event. u201c My mom pushed me to study Indian classical music. It helps me in every aspect of life. Iu2019m having a blast and do not feel like stopping,u201d she says. Along with his son Shikhar Naad, Qureshiu2019s Indian classical fusion band Surya will also be a part of the concert delivering world percussions coupled with Indian rhythms on the djembe, Hindustani melodies on the sarod, and supported by the keyboard. Happy to see the efforts the kids are putting into the performance, the legendary percussionist says, u201c I believe that knowledge needs to be shared. I have been imparting the knowledge that my father [ Ustad Alla Rakha] has passed on to me, to the GenNext for the past 20 years, be it through rhythm or singing. This knowledge is universal and I want to try and be one with the kids.u201d So, the concertu2019s title u2018 AAMAD 2020u2019, here, is also a metaphor. u201c For the children itu2019s like an entrance into the world of Indian music,u201d says Kamakshi, while Qureshi remarks, u201c This is the entry of their world into my world. I feel like these two worlds will become one and maybe go a long way.u201d ON February 19, 6.30 pm AT Nehru Centre Auditorium, AB Nair Road, Worli. LOG ON TO bookmyshow. in COST R 590 onwards u2018 Knowledge has to be shared. I want to try and be one with the kidsu2019 Taufiq Qureshi music Qureshi has specially conceptualised and adapted pieces for the concert Qureshi with son Shikhar Naad at a rehearsal in Lower Parel earlier this month Vishala and Kamakshi Khurana teach Indian classical music in a deconstructed form to both, children and adults. PICS/ BIPIN KOKATE A unique concert in collaboration with percussionist Taufiq Qureshi and city- based music venture The Sound Space to see 150 students across schools and NGOs jam
