Nordic Raga is a collaboration between Jyotsna and Norwegian musicians, saxophonist Pär Moberg, vocalist/percussionist Dan Svensson and Swedish violinist Mats Edén.
The quartet binds Indian models of improvisation with Nordic scales and rhythms. The result is an otherworldly communion melding the music’s of Asia and Scandinavia.
In a typical Nordic Raga concert the emphasis is on improvised music, where the improvisation is based on scales and rhythms from Nordic folk music, but uses the tools of south Indian Carnatic music. But the band also performs both more traditional Nordic and Carnatic music. In the World Music business, the word ‘collaboration’ often has a negative ring to it. Perhaps because the projects are often put together in great haste, and the participants seldom have the chance to acquire in depth understanding of each others’ musical traditions. Not so in Nordic Raga, where the participants all have both a very thorough understanding of their own tradition AND a deep understanding and curiosity for the tradition of the counterpart.
“One of the most exciting musical meetings I´ve heard and seen for a long time.”
Alexander Agrell, Sydsvenskan (Swedish newspaper)
“Swedish waltzes and polskas meet Bangalore passion, grace and fire in this superb communion”
Rob Adams, The Herald, Scotland