KARAVIKA is a New York City based ensemble led by violinist Trina Basu and cellist Amali Premawardhana. As two emerging artists with roots in India, Sri Lanka and North America, Trina and Amali aspire to discover and bring to light the music of their own cultural backgrounds as well as music from other parts of the world that has deeply inspired them. Drawing upon influences of nature, beauty, simple folk melodies and complex classical compositions, Karavika seeks to blend creative improvisations and arrangements with authentic traditions. They are joined by jazz bassist, Perry Wortman, and Avi Shah on tabla.
Since its creation, Karavika (recently known as Tiger Lilies) has been active in the music scene in New York City, and has frequented venues such as Drom, an exciting multicultural world music venue, the lovely and intimate Caffe Vivaldi, Brooklyn's multimedia performance space, House of Yes, The Tank and more. Karavika has been honored to perform for organizations such as Asha, an education and health care agency that provides support in impoverished communities in Delhi, India, as well as Sneha, a U.S. based South Asian organization that supports and upholds women who have been victims of domestic abuse. Karavika has featured musical guests specializing in Hindustani and Carnatic classical styles as well as in American folk traditions. Recently, Karavika was showcased live on IndiaTalks TV, a cultural Indian television program in New York City, as well as the world- wide social networking event, TEDx Gotham, at which they were broadcast live on the web from the Cooper Union in New York. Members of Karavika also perform regularly in the South Indian percussion ensemble, Akshara which was featured live in the 2010 Learnquest Indian Music Conference in Massachusetts.
Karavika is currently recording their debut album due to be released in the fall of 2011.The album features original music inspired by the rhythmic complexities of Indian Classical music as well as collaborative arrangements inspired by old film and folk music from different regions in India and Sri Lanka. Much of themusic illustrates various aspects of life, from the innocence and playfulness of youth to the sacredness of love and devotion. Upon the release of their album, they are looking forward to taking their music on the road and sharing it with a wider audience.
http://www.myspace.com/karavika
at the spot:
08.10.2011
