World Music is here to stay and ‘Let's Merge’ is possibly the pioneer to have made this collaboration between Dhanashree Pandit Rai and Merlin Dsouza demonstrate the  musical blend of Indian and Western scales in these  in the "Let's Merge" series. 

The aim is to demystify world music. The music includes an Indo-Western blend of classics from Thumri, Bollywood, Ghazals, Sufi and Rock n Roll. Dhanashree Pandit Rai is one of India’s leading Thumri exponents and Merlyn Dsouza is India’s foremost Pianist, Composer and Music Director. They have both come together to blend Thumri and Jazz, Hindustani and Western Classical in a completely new format. They will challenge the status quo, unsettle some purists, engage with the audience and hopefully create a whole new genre of musical global warming!

Inner Courtyard, in association with Y. B. Chavan Pratishthan, Mumbai endeavors to present young artistes and unique programs to make Indian culture and philosophy more accessible and enjoyable to a contemporary audience. This, we believe will help preserve and nurture India’s great heritage and culture.

Thumri is a semi classical form in Indian classical music. Thumri is to Indian classical muisc, as jazz is to western classical music. So both these forms Thumri and Jazz fall in the semi classical bracket, the combination of them bring about one intoxicating mix of melodies.

Dhanashree and Merlin take you along on a musical Yatra as they expound, demonstrate and perform  musical-frameworks and modes  from the Traditional....to the Contemporary 

Dhanashree Pandit Rai

India's leading Thumri and Indian Classical vocalist has regaled audiences around the globe with her concerts,workshops,lecture demonstrations. She is also widely known for her collaborations with renowned Jazz and World music artists. Her unmistakable musical feel for fusion has propelled her into the musical limelight globally.

Merlin Dsouza

The country's only leading lady composer, pianist and music director who has lent her musical wizardry to productions in Theatre, Advertising, Sonic Branding, Albums, Concerts and  Bollywood Film industry.  From the Blue Note in the US, to Hennessy Jazz Ambassador, to Europe ... she continues to perform produce and create new musical pathways in her endeavor of her unique Sound of Music. Recent Awardee of World Leadership Inspirational Women Congress for Music, Merlin makes her music sound different everytime she touches the ivory keys.

Aditi Bhagwat

She is an internationally renowned kathak and lavani expert, actress, dance tutor and choregrapher.Bhagwat has been awarded the title of "Nalanda Nritya Nipun" by Nalanda Dance and Research Academy and US Department Fellowship under the Cultural Exchange Program “Onebeat” in 2012. She gracefully blends the stylized gestures of Kathak into musical repertoires which include Jazz Pop Bollywood as she performs Globally. Her style truly shows a "Mastery of the idiom"  In their videos on the Lets Merge Series, Dhanashtee Pandit Rai and Merlin Dsouza show you how Thumri and Jazz collaborations come alive. And may we add the Blues too.

World Thumri

Dhanashree Pandit Rai and and Merlin D'souza informally discuss the similarities between Jazz and the Thumri genre and interpret a popular folk thumri with a World music flavour. Dhanashree’s soul-filling voice is truly spellbinding.

Click on the link below to watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUF5GQ1B3ek

Blues Kauns

Dhanashree Pandit Rai and Merlin Dsouza demonstrate the blues scale. Dhanashree Rai improvising “Blues” is an incredible example of “music is beyond borders”.

Click on the link to watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq3lDRLRFiU

Program Details:

Date: Friday, 17^th June, 2016                             

Time: 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm (No interval)

Venue: Y. B. Chavan Pratishthan Hall, Opp. Sachivalaya, Gen. Bhosle Marg,   Mumbai – 400 021

For tickets call:

Tel:  22028598, 22028285                                   

Timings: Mon – Sat 11.00 am – 5.00 pm