Sharkiat explores the relation between Hindu and Arab beats
A diverse audience of all ages and nationalities flocked on Monday to the Cairo Opera House’s open-air theater, under the moon and stars, for an Indian-Arabic fusion music concert hosted by Grammy award-winning Egyptian musician Fathy Salama and his group Sharkiat.
A new project by Sharkiat, Monday’s concert sought to revive and illustrate the often forgotten relationship between Indian and Arabic music.
“In this concert, we at Sharkiat want to introduce you to our new music initiative which focuses on the relations between India and the Arab world. Many people are unaware of the close relationship between Hindi and Arabic music. This project seeks to bring that relationship to light with the help of diverse music talents, Fathy Salama told a jam-packed audience.
As Norwegian saxophonists, Spanish guitarists, American sarangi (Indian bowed string instrument) players, Egyptian violinists, and Indian tabla players took to the stage, The Daily Star Egypt’s reporter was not the only one scratching her head wondering what sort of tunes would come out of this diverse range of musicians.
“I wonder how the saxophone, tabla and the guitar will sound together. I haven’t seen this many different instruments on stage ever, I think, a curious concert attendee told The Daily Star Egypt.
Soft spoken and tunic clad American musician Nicolas Magreil and his Indian wing mate ‘Jagdeep’ opened the concert by introducing the audience to the beats of Northern India in a smashing duet on traditional Indian instruments: the sarangi and tabla.
Starting off as soothing tunes provided by the sarangi, the tabla soon intensified the tempo with its resonating beats, resembling fast heartbeats. The opening performance culminated in a drum solo that prompted enthusiastic applause and whistles from the audience.
“This music is a mix between erotica and silence, and the tunes are often created through meditation, Magreil explained to curious concert attendees.
Following the solos, Sharkiat and Salama captivated the audience with several flawless performances mixing traditional Arabic music and Indian beats with saxophone and guitar solos filling the breezy Cairo night with a musical euphoria of instruments and singers.
Salama is considered to be one of the most diverse sounds on the local music scene. He has acquired quite a fan base since he first started in the 1980s with his band Sharkiat.
His album “Egypt, which he produced, arranged and conducted with the famous Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour, won the Best World Music Album of 2004 at the 47th annual Grammy Awards.
Since Sharkiat was formed in 1989, it has been an open workshop for musicians. They have played with African, European, Indian and American artists.
At Monday’s concert, Sharkiat played the track “Fair Dance with its Arabic jazz beat, one of the hallmarks of the group, an upbeat song distinguished by drums and the saxophone. As the music played, the audience had a difficult time staying still, clapping their hands or stomping their feet.
“You sort of forget where you are at concerts like this. I really hope the group has their CD for sale here tonight, Ahmed, 22, said as the concert came to a close.
