Soumik Datta
Indian Tradition meets Electronic / Reflektor Anoushka Shankar
Songs of the earth
Vogue magazine has called Soumik Datta »one of the biggest musical talents in Great Britain«. The musician, composer and TV presenter now in his mid-30s has released eight albums to date, and counts Beyoncé as much as Anoushka Shankar and the London Philharmonic Orchestra among his artistic partners. With the 19-string long-necked lute sarod, electronica and tabla rhythms, Datta creates a fascinating musical melange. It is derived from his roots in Indian music, but reflects to an equal degree his cosmopolitan everyday life in London.
Dattas latest project »Songs of the Earth« was comissioned by the British Council for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November. »Songs of the Earth« is a climate change animation film and music album that tells a global story, weaving issues from climate migration, extreme weather to ocean pollution, deforestation and sustainable fashion through original narrative, songs and immersive visuals. The film follows Asha, a 12-year-old climate refugee from Bengal, as she searches for her missing father through the flood banks of the Sundarban delta, burning forests and melting polar ice caps, highlighting the plight of the Global South.
Performers
Soumik Datta sarod, vocals, lyrics and composition
Ashnaa Sasikaran vocals
Yasmin Ogilvie saxophone
Rosabella Gregory synthesizer, piano, vocals
Jake Long drums
Camilo Tirado sound design
Programme
»Silent Spaces«
Festival
Reflektor Anoushka Shankar