Blending culture and traditions with music at The Vale, Mossley

Renowned Sitarist and Indian classical musician Jasdeep Singh Degun's soulful concert saw an intimate gathering of music lovers from diverse backgrounds.

Internationally acclaimed Sitarist and music composer Jasdeep Singh Degun's concert at The Vale, Mossley, last week was a mesmerizing blend of sitar (Indian string music instrument) mastery and sheer happiness.

After his critically acclaimed musical opera 'Orpheus' last year, which brought baroque opera together with Indian classical music, followed by the launch of his music album 'Anomaly' earlier this year, the Leeds-born musician's unique command of both Western and Indian classical traditions came to light.

At The Vale last week, his brilliance on the sitar, accompanied by the rhythmic proficiency of Himmet Singh Bara on tabla, created an enchanting atmosphere. The duo kept the audience captivated throughout their performance.

Jasdeep's compositions exhibited a unique creative flair, making this intimate gathering a memorable night for all music enthusiasts.

"I simply play spontaneously. I don't consider if I would be playing for an Indian audience or a Western audience to decide on what to present. I know that Indian classical music has so much power in it that it will connect with anyone," Jasdeep said after the concert.

"The audience in the front seat just gave me lovely feedback. They said as soon as I started playing, they were transfixed! This is the power of Indian Classical music, which I've learnt from my teachers above me, and it goes beyond what I can explain to you now," Jasdeep added.

Accompanying him on the tabla, Himmet said their musical conversation was not a pre-planned one but was spontaneous and improvised on stage.

"We're both trained in North Indian or Hindustani classical music. Even though the 'Taal' and the 'Raaga' of the composition were all set, within that we can improvise. And that improvisation happens spontaneously on stage. And that's when this musical conversation happens."

Civic Mayor Tafheen Sharif attended the concert right after the Ashton Lantern Parade. She said the sitar concert revived her after a busy day.

"We are so lucky here in Mossley, Tameside, where we get to see so many different cultures and hear all the different music. It was lovely to hear Jasdeep playing."

The power of music to transcend cultural barriers became particularly palpable, discovering soon-to-be married Alex in the audience who had decided to celebrate his stag-do in this concert.

He explained his reason behind this unusual choice:

 "My lovely future wife had a look around because I was really struggling with options. And we saw this concert, and it sounded wonderful. And guess what? We were not wrong. It was truly remarkable.

"I've not experienced live Indian classical music before. I've been to a few Bollywood events, but this is something truly unique."

Alex's group of delighted friends who had joined him for the stag do share:

 "It was amazing. It was so nice to listen to the interaction between the tabla and the sitar. We loved it when the rhythm picked up. They were both incredible musicians." 

Experiencing the Sitar concert for the first time, Hamza Aslam, Councillor of Mossley Parish Council, said:  

"This was my first experience of Indian classical music, and I think this music also has a spiritual side to it.

"The Vale is a beacon of the Mossley of culture, of entertainment, and is such an amazing vessel to introduce to the general public to Indian Classical music. And I think there's a net positive to be had from cultural institutions like this within our community."