SRIRAM RAVISHANKAR
THE
BLIND
ORCHESTRA
Picture Courtesy- Anton Tal
How do you put your music together? Do you rehearse your
music well enough to play it blind folded or how is your
collaborative process ? All-star jams could easily become a musical disaster. The need
for expression and attention is something to be considered and
solved and our concept does just that.
The music is all 100% improvised live on stage. Every show
features new musicians and new music is being composed.
We do not prepare music or a plan for a show but we do meet
for one preparation jam just to understand and get used to the
improvisation concept, understand the options and challenges
and get a better feel for each other. Who are the musicians from India that you have had in your
orchestra and how was the experience?
Has playing music blindfolded enhanced your sensitivity to
music with every performance ?
My ability to focus and listen goes up and down but once I play
without seeing it becomes better by the minute. The need to
see gradually disappears. It becomes more and more natural
and the sensitivity for sound get enhanced.
Explain what you mean by ‘orchastrated improv’ and how it
compliments playing blindfolded
ORCHESTRATED IMPROV is how I coin the Blind Orchestra’s
improvisation concept. There are 3 elements: The blindfolds
is the first one. The second one is having a conductor who can
see and listen and navigate the music. His job is to signal the
musicians when to play and when to stop by a touch of a wand.
The third one is about maintaining a healthy team spirit by
being respectful, submissive, and supportive. That’s the
key ingredient.
What kind of technical expertise do each of you carry to be
able to play and improvise on your instruments blindfolded?
There are no special expertise apart from high skill
musicianship. It’s not rare for an accomplished musician to
be able to play blindfolded. This show is not about bragging of
the ability to play blindfolded. If there’s any bragging it’s about
the fact I can get 8 top musicians on one stage and make music
which is melodic, harmonic, interesting and structured.
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The
Score Magazine
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There’s a long list of Indian musicians who took part and were
just terrific. For example, bass player Manas Chowdhary who
is my Mumbai brother and a partner in the Mumbai operation.
Vocalist Shiv Nirmukta took part in the London show, which
gave a great twist to the sound of the whole band. I can also
mention the youngest musician ever to take part, which is
Delhi drummer Aditya Bhagavatula. Other names that come to
mind are Kartikeya Vashisht, Chintan Kalra, MC Kaur, Ambar
Das, Sheil obZerver, Nicolette Gore and the list goes on and on.
Any message or just creative presentation you are trying to
convey by playing music blind folded?
The blindfolds are just an assisting tools to what I want to
achieve. I’m a music addict and an improvisation researcher
that found a concept that allows improved teamwork and
collaboration efficiany. I search for the win-win situation that
will please everyone involved: The conductor, the musicians
and the audience. It’s about finding unity and possibly, it can
be found everywhere if researched well enough. I’m talking
about relationships, buisness, politics or any kind of group
effort that involves different needs and interests.
Is there any scope for an album or EP for a concept like
Blind Orchestra?
I plan to release a “best of live shows compilation” album
soon. There are many videos available but these are souvenirs.
They are lovely but nothing is like being in the room when it
happens. It happens once and it’s special because that music
will never ever be played again. It’s sometimes heartbreaking
to experience magic disappearing into the best with no ability
to hold and keep it. I guess that teaches me disattachement but
also insures new magic will appear later.