Audiences around the world have been captivated by the the deep and resonant sounds of the sarod. Accomplished musicians such as Amjad Ali Khan, the late Ali Akbar Khan, and the late Gurdev Singh have made this fretless, stringed instrument sing like a human voice.
The Bandish Network and Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Avenue) will present another star sarod player, Dwaipayan Ray, on Sunday (February 23) in Coquitlam. From 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., he will perform at The Art of Sarod, accompanied by tabla and sarod player Hriday Buddhdev. Tickets are $26 for adults and $21 for students and seniors.
According to his biography, Ray enjoys infusing tradition, science, and his own distinct artistry to create an emotional experience for listeners. He has a PhD. in physics and works as a researcher at the TRIUMF particle accelerator centre on UBC’s Point Grey campus.
Ray is schooled in the Senia-Shajahanpur Gharana, which has its roots in the Bangash tribe of Afghanistan. These tribesmen settled in Central India about two centuries ago, first serving as soldiers and later becoming court musicians.
At the age of six, Ray began his initiation into the sarod with Pranab Kr. Naha. Later, he became a senior disciple of Padma Bhushan Pt. Buddhadev Das Gupta, and since then, Ray has performed Indian classical music and fusion across India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Sarod evokes deep emotions
“What sets Dwaipayan apart is his extraordinary creative fluency and improvisational mastery, honed through years of rigorous training and an innate, intuitive connection to his instrument,” the Bandish Network states. “His music is an evolving canvas—each phrase a brushstroke of intricate ornamentation, delicate microtonal shifts, and deeply felt emotion. With an unparalleled ability to explore the expanses of raga expression, he moves effortlessly between tradition and innovation, bringing fresh perspectives to age-old compositions while maintaining their soul-stirring authenticity.”
Ray is one of a several talented Indian classical musicians in Metro Vancouver who can evoke deep emotions through their instruments.
“Whether unfolding the meditative stillness of a slow alaap or the electrifying dynamism of a jod and jhala, he creates an intimate, transformative connection with his audience,” the Bandish Network notes.
Meanwhile, Buddhdev is a rising star on the tabla and sarod. In 2023, he made the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s list of the 30 under 30 hottest classical musicians. Buddhdev is a disciple of Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri (tabla) and Alam Khan (sarod) at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Francisco.
The Bandish Network and Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Avenue) will present The Art of Sarod, curated by Nina Buddhdev, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday (February 23). Visit the Place des Arts website for tickets.
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