When we saw the program flyer, we were thrilled to look at the ethnic composition of the group. This was a very special collaboration between Udi-Bar David (of the Philadelphia Orchestra), Shoba Sharma (a leading Bharata Natyam exponent), Keisha Hutchins (an African American gospel singer), Hanna Khoury (Western and Arabic violin), Margot Leverett (klezmer carinet and alto saxophone) and Michel Baklouk (Lebanese percussionist). This indeed looked like a very harmonious mini-United Nations, choosing to work together and crossing all cultural, ethnic and national barriers. It is said that Music is a unifier and is one language- but there could be various accents even within that commonality.

One of the unique highlights was Shoba Sharma’s Bharatanatyam choreography to Keisha Hutchins singing of an African American spiritual “Motherless Child”. That was definitely crossing the barrier and breaking new ground both from the Indian and African American perspective. The melodious voice of the vocalist brought out the emotion behind the scene. Shoba described through abhinaya an auction scene where the mother and the child are parted when the auctioneer sells the child. The child is wrenched from the mother by the buyer and subjected to indentured hard labor and slavery.

The lyrics go like this:
Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child
A long way from Home
Sometimes I feel like I am almost gone
A long way from Home
True Believer, A long way from Home

Shoba depicted not only the pain of a mother and child separated from each other but also the hope for liberation by maintaining faith in life. Her abhinaya was deeply moving and brought tears to the eyes of the audience.

Shoba’s Kunthalavaraali Thillana (composed by Dr. Balamuralikrishna and choreographed by the Dhananjayans) was accompanied by Keisha Hutchins on vocal, Arjun and Varun Sharma on mridangam, Udi-Bar David on cello, Hanna on violin and Margot on clarinet.

The highly accomplished ensemble proved its versatility by performing the very challenging Carnatic composition with poise and exuberance. Shoba danced to this rhythmic piece, adding zest and life to the thillana with her deft footwork and coordinated limb movements with a crisp choreography.

The sight of Bharatanatyam in the altar of a famous church in Manhattan backed by an international classical cast of musicians somehow seemed perfectly natural. As a south Indian (says Dr. Aruna), I do admit that I am used to hearing gamakas and brihas when a Carnatic musician sings. But Keisha managed the rhythm and the notes very well. If she sets her mind to it, she may perhaps add Carnatic Music to her repertoire during a concert of hers in the near future!

We look forward to more original collaborations between Shoba and Keisha as well as the entire orchestra. The blending of classical Bharatanatyam with the genres of powerful intercultural music and soulful singing was a surprising treat.

Near the program’s end, the audience sang along with Ms. Hutchins to the well-known spiritual “This Little Light of Mine”. Keisha’s moving concluding selection “Amazing Grace” reflected the sentiments of many in the audience concerning the gifts of all who performed. With all these fusions, the program, from start to finish, was wonderful, wholesome, moving and at times heart-rending. The compilation of Arabic, Turkish, Egyptian, European Jewish music, chants from Vietnamese monks, Carnatic Indian and Western classical and African American spiritual music blended so beautifully that I forgot that they were of diverse backgrounds. As Udi-Bar so aptly said, it is a beautiful fusion without the confusion.

All in all, we had a wonderful evening that culminated in a cozy reception in the church’s basement where we were able to interact with the warm friendly artists. This entire evening was a sad reminder of the tragedies, violence and hatred that seem to be a part of our daily lives. But it was indeed a heart-warming experience to have been present at this cultural coming-together of music and dance that transcended borders and barriers and to have been totally blind to the so-called differences between us humans.