The present day Sarangi has traversed a couple of centuries in the• musical realm as a result of which this ancient instrument originally known as Saurangi is what it is today.
Gifted with unquestionable qualities of sound, tenor and innumerable variations, Sarangi has exceptional adaptability to suit any genre of music. It covers the entire gamut of classical music including Dhrupad, Dhamar Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Chaiti, Tappa, Trivat, Tarana & light classical forms such as Bhajan, Ghazal, Folk songs and film songs. Of late Sarangi has even dared to venture into Jazz, contemporary and new age music and very emphatically made its mark to everybody’s astonishment and liking.
Sarangi is the only instrument that is most complete, closest to the human voice and the only one that is played by the cuticles (the most sensitive part of the finger nails). Also its virtuosity lies even in the fact that it is equally proficient as a solo and an accompanying instrument to vocal performers.
Sarangi, which has seen its hay days, sadly has never recovered fully after its days of oblivion to endear the masses. There are still so many people in the world who have no or just limited knowledge of Sarangi and that it is unlike other musical instruments.
Several Sarangi maestros in the past and a few in the present have contributed a lot to make this instrument, which has immense feel in its music, very popular
The myth that Sarangi is used just to emote musically sad tones, unfortunately has stuck to it. In fact, this is just one of its aspects, which coincidentally has been exposed too much to the publics ear as a result of which its ability to express moods of happiness and T vibrant energy has unfortunately never been exploited.
My album Dance of the Desert, the first of its kind in theme and spirit with Sarangi as the central instrument, won rave reviews and placed the Sarangi firmly as a World music instrument. It has an ensemble of 5 Sarangi-s winning the hearts of those who have heard, appreciated and passed on the good word.
I personally think that it is the most opportune time for a proactive• role to give that much—needed thrust and bring Sarangi to the lime light. It is imperative that young musicians like me make way through the milieu of scores of people, trying to pass off sub- a. standard productions as music and introduce the world to the_ richness of music, especially the Sarangi in my case.
With the backing of a very important gharana — the Moradabad Gharana - the onus of getting recognition to my instrument through whatever little resources I can muster lies on me.
Sarangi Funk is another attempt to introduce and exhibit the untapped aspect of the Sarangi to the public and establish without ‘any doubt another hue of one of the oldest instruments in the world
I believe that Sarangi Funk is a bold and innovative attempt, which will go a long way in popularizing this instrument and at the same time bring to light its vivacious and vibrant avatar The sarangii indeed will prove that it has great pluck!"
The musically gifted Kamal Sabri is the son of the sarangi legend Ustad Sabri Khan and is carrying forward the rich legacy of the Senia gharana of Moradabad. He is the seventh generation of a distinguished family of traditional musicians and has demonstrated profound versatility in playing the Sarangi.
Kamal was initiated and trained by his father in the style of the Senia Gharana (school) of Rampur, Moradabad from the tender age of 5 years and very soon this child prodigy made waves in the musical world with his talent. His musical brilliance and talent as a seasoned accompanist gained immense popularity amongst eminent classical vocalists.
In India, Kamal participated in several prestigious festivals over the years such as the Harballabh Music Festival in Jalandhar, Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior, Saptak Festival in Ahmedabad, Swami Haridas Music Festival in Mumbai, ITC Sangeet Sammelan in New Delhi, I Sangeet Natak Academy Golden Jubilee Festival in Hyderabad to name a few, for which he received immense appreciation.
Kamal has also made his mark on the international scene and has Participated and represented India in several international festivals Including the ‘Art of the Bow’ Festival in Geneva, Switzerland, ‘World Music Festival’ in Lahore, Pakistan, ‘All Pakistani Music Conference’ In Lahore and Karachi,-Pakistan, ‘BBC Millennium Concert’ in the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, UK, among others. While honing his skills in the traditional style of music, he has also A adapted to the changing musical scenario and is constantly trying to — set new trends and standards within his tradition.
Kamal has many achievements to his credit, including, the privilege to be the youngest Indian musician to participate in "Les 24 heures du raga" (the 24 hours Millennium concert) in Paris, France. He made a record of sorts in that festival by playing 9 concerts with all the vocalists the audience spellbound.
He has also worked with renowned musicians such as Zakir Hussain Fateh Ali Khan, Hossam Ramzy, Ricky Niles from Barbados (West Indies) Jukka Tolonen from finland and performed with Jan Garbarek for the king of Norway. Kamal has recorded his genre of music for famous bands such as Massive attack and one Giant Leap.
This multifaceted musician is also a composer who has delivered powerfully ambient scores for documentary films theatre and dance. Kamal continues to explore the vast realm of the music world yet retaining the purity of Indian classical music through the strains of his sarangi.
Sarangi funk is a bold & Innovative attempt to introduce and exhibit the untapped aspect of sarangi. This album features some delectable compositions composed & played by the famous Sarangi maestro Kamal Sabri where he brews new concoctions of rhythm beats and melody. This album is a heady mix of Jazz, Folk, Western as well as other cross cultural influences where Sarangi gets funky and energized bringing out the vivacious and vibrant avatar of the instrument.
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