Event overview
Subduction Zone
In this research seminar, Mithila Sarma will talk about her creative practice of combining South Indian classical music with North Indian, UK grime and popular music and dance in her recent 'Radical Ideas' commission 'Subduction Zone'.
Jasmine Hornabrook will introduce the talk and frame the discussion by exploring the themes examined in the production, such as diaspora, second generation identity politics and discrimination.
Carnatic, or South Indian classical, music has become an essential feature of cultural education for many of London's second generation Sri Lankan Tamil children. Growing up in a global city and in a diverse music scene, new creative projects are emerging with young British South Asian musicians.
Mithila uses her musical background in the South Indian veena lute in her eclectic musical practice in her recent production. 'Subduction Zone' tells the story of a British-Sri Lankan woman growing up in East London through music and dance, whilst tackling tensions of identity, cultural expectations, and discrimination.
Mithila will discuss how her background in Carnatic music in London led to her new creatives projects integrating South Indian raga and devotional forms with other Indian genres, and with urban and popular music. The discussion will include video from the production and live demonstrations.
In addition to being a veena artist, Mithila is the artistic director at ZerOclassikal, a music initiative involved in propagating innovative music projects by the emerging generation of UK-based South Asian classical musicians.
This talk will be of interest to ethnomusicology, popular music and creative practice students, as well as those interested in the cultural study of music, diaspora and identity.
Mithila started learning the veena at the age of 8 under the tutelage of Smt Malini Thanbalasingham. She has undergone further training from Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh and now regularly trains with Veena maestro Smt. Padmavathy Anandagopalan.
A versatile performer, Mithila is also part of the upcoming British fusion band Project 12 who have been performing across various venues across the UK. She was also part of the national ensemble Tarang for which she was Deputy Orchestra Leader.
Mithila now works with the arts organisation ZerOclassikal, funded by the Arts Council, looking to promote British-trained Indian Classical musicians and create commissions radicalising the approach taken to Indian Classical Music.
Photo: 2 Kabilan Raviraj Photography http://www.kabilanraviraj.com
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Jan 2017 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Accessibility
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