Fusion denotes the melding together of two specific musical cultures; that of the east and the west. Since the ‘50s, Indian and Western musicians have been collaborating and jamming, mixing and matching and trying to mimic ragas on violins, and pentatonic minors on sarods. This intermingling of two diverse and rich musical schools has created unique sonic adventures and some of the greatest and most experimental music of our times. From John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra, to the Beatles’ Norwegian Wood; from the disco beats of Burman and Lahiri, to Karsh Kale’s tabla-dance beats; from Herbie Hancock’s ‘jazz fusion’ to Chiranjit Singh’s Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat, the marriage of Western Classical, contemporary jazz and Indian Classical music has created an exciting genre of musical exploration unlike any other.

The November edition of Under the Banyan Tree on a Full Moon Night seeks to showcase the magical creativity of Fusion. With performances from critically acclaimed musicians, delectable food, a community of music connoisseurs and the magical full moon, this concert will celebrate this rhythmically intricate musical form, at 1AQ, in the Qutb Complex.

This month, the Anirudh Varma Collective, an ensemble of expert musicians with a penchant for fusion experimentation, and Sharat and Friends, an exploration of the sounds of India and the West, are set to take the stage under the banyan tree and we can’t wait to see them live!