Shankar Concert Emphasizes Music as Universal Language

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, August 8, 1968

Music as universal language was the predominant factor in initial reaction to Ravi Shankar and his Festival From India in concert Tuesday night at Saratoga Performing Arts Center with 4,000 attending.

Although the performers and their instruments were unfamiliar, their proficiency and the lore and culture of centuries producing the melodic sounds they offered bridged the knowledge gap for the attentive audience, which gave each performer rousing applause with a standing ovation for Mr. Shankar at the close.

The stage was set with a large multi-colored tapestry as backdrop for a small raised platform on which the performers appeared, sitting cross-legged as they played their instruments or sang.

At the outset, Mr. Shankar gave some explanation of what he and his group would offer, apologizing for the need for frequent tuning of the sensitive instruments because of the humid weather. Emphasizing nearly everything to be heard was improvised, he warned only the melody would be heard, no modulation, harmony or counterpoint familiar to Western audiences.

The string, reed and drum instruments were beautiful to behold, haunting and beautiful to the sound and offered a showcase for the folk and classical music of India. Two sisters offered vocal interpretations of the same type of music.

Although it is hard to assess what is unknown and unfamiliar, the virtuosity of the performers, the beauty of the music was unmistakable. Mr. Shankar’s ability on the sitar (a huge instrument looking like a guitar with a mandolin body on the neck) was fantastic, with fingering beyond belief.

The group closed the concert with an ensemble vocal and instrumental number composed especially for this particular tour, an interesting combination of classical and folk.