For me, there are only two types of music. One is pure sound (which is the purest form); the other kind of music is based on literature, text, lyrics, story etc. I admire and respect beautiful poetry or the messages of the great Saints. But I live in the world of sound. It is only through sound that I feel the presence of (God) the Supreme Being.

It is hard for an Indian classical musician to mention the Ragas or the Taals (rhythmic cycles) beforehand because the decisions are made very near to the concert date, perhaps on the day of the concert itself! Since we don't have a written score, it also has something to do with the accommodation of moods and emotions of an artist on that day. I treat every Raga like a living entity. A mere scale is not a Raga. A scale is more like a skeleton. Even though the literal meaning of a Raga is ‘improvisation within a set framework of ascending and descending notes', I feel a Raga has to be invoked.

Since my childhood, I always wanted my instrument, the Sarod, to be able to express the entire range of human emotions - to sing, shout, whisper and cry. All the emotions! It has been a long journey so far and, by the benevolence of heaven, the Sarod has become far more expressive than it was 25 years ago.

The programme will include folk music from Bengal and f Assam called Bihu . It is interesting to see how music can define and create a region of any country. I feel that folk music is one of the most natural forms of music which is self taught all over the world.

Satyajit Talwalkar, a brilliant young tabla (Indian two piece drums) player from Mumbai accompanies me this evening.

AAK

This concert was originally advertised as a duo with Amjad Ali Khan and Matthew Barley. Unfortunately, Matthew Barley has had to withdraw from the Festival due to a shoulder injury.