Music for eternity

Culture Resonance is a band of three siblings – Zainab Houriya, Atiya Noreen and Sadretdin Lax from Germany. They are playing together since 2006 and had many concerts since then. The two sisters from the band Zainab Houriya and Atiya Noreen are touring India and they will perform at ‘Lamakaan’, Hyderabad on July 28.

“Hyderabad is not new to me. I was here a few years ago on a volunteering project and used to teach music at a school. Hyderabad is like any other Indian city. There is so much spirituality in every move. A lot of community-based activities happen and people reach out to one another. There is that ‘intimate feeling’ in every sphere of work,” Zainab says.

Zainab plays the ‘Harp’ and ‘Sarod’. “It was in Banaras that I took my initial training in Sarod from Sri Anshuman Maharaj. I am also doing ‘Music Therapy’ in Holland Artiste Conservatory,” she shares.

Most of their music is ‘Sufi’ based. The trio writes their own scores and its ‘raga’ based. There are elements of music from the Middle East and other parts of the world in their music.

“As we have roots in Germany, Turkey, India, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, it could best be described as trans-cultural music with instruments from India and the Middle East like Oud, Sitar, Sarod, Table and Def.

These instruments further merge with the Cello, Harp and Double Bass in an expression, which includes western musical styles. But we strongly believe in music that touches the soul. I have always been inspired by the music of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Mercan Dede from Turkey, who plays the ‘Ney’ flute.

Kushal Krishna from Banaras who would play Tabla, Djembe and Darbouka. Since we believe in the philosophy of the divine love towards mankind, we have added an element of Rumi poetry, which would be rendered by Jasmin Behnawa from Afganistan,” Zainab shares.

Atiya says that since they have been playing off and on stage for many years, it’s not difficult for them to coordinate the presentation of music in live concerts. “We do discuss before and after concerts as every programme is unique in terms of the audience and the technical arrangements.

Even our brother Sadretdin Lax joins us with the Sitar on stage when we can manage the dates together,” she says. “Sadretdin has been inspired by the music of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee and many well-known artistes. But this time, he cannot make it with us to India. It’s the first time that we are touring India and presenting our music professionally,” she adds.

The sister duo state that for them music means ‘Divinity’. It’s a soul searching experience that connects mankind without any barriers and there are many inexplicable feelings that come along with being in the company of good music. “About a year ago we launched our album ‘Dreams of Eternity’ and we look forward to spreading the same throughout India,” Atiya concludes.

By: Jaywant Naidu