Folka Dots Concert, Sun 27 Sep

Urban Folk
Music Concert
By Folka Dots

 

Folka Dot’s music mirrors the day-to-day life of modern day city dwellers of India. Our repertoire of songs includes several original compositions by Shashwat Srivastava and original adaptations of traditional Indian folk songs. Our music is rooted in the cultures, languages and music traditions that we come from but constantly explores the urban dilemma, struggle and isolation. We call it ‘urban folk’. 

Folka Dot’s ensemble of three singers, unique rhythm guitar, throbbing bass, soulful flute and alternative percussion create rooted urban sounds that keeps audiences grooving all night, while the messages come through loud and clear.

 

About the Artist

 

Shashwat Srivastava is a singer, songwriter, composer, actor, playwright, theatre director and music producer. In 2006, he co-founded Actor Factor Theatre Company. He has been acting, writing, directing and composing music for the stage ever since. He co-founded Folks Dots in 2014 to explore the urban folk music of India. He has written scores and designed sound for a number of critically acclaimed stage productions and films. Born and brought up in Lucknow he is oriented in traditional music of Awadh and now trains in Hindustani (Indian) and Western Classical music. He loves to collect and play stringed instruments from around the world. Most of the Folks Dots songs are his original compositions. His unique style of playing acoustic guitar has become the signature sound of Folka Dots.

Biswajit Das is a self-taught musician and a prolific percussionist who has been a part of the independent music sound scape of Delhi since the last decade. Apart from being a FolkaDot’er, he is also a core member of the Delhi Drummers Percussion Ensemble and a session artist.He enjoys experimenting with all hand and stick percussion &making and playing deconstructed instruments give him special joy. He is particularlypartial to theDarbuka, Cajon, Djembe, Duff, Hand Pans and theUdu! His alternative percussions have become the core character of Folka Dots’ sound.

Kartikeya Vashist is an Indian Flautist who plays various woodwinds, performs and composes Indian Classical, Folk and World Music. He was awarded a scholarship to the Ethno Sweden 2015 programme and performed at concerts at the prestigious Binsjöstamman Festival and Musik Vid Siljan. He is training in Hindustani Classical under the guidance of Guru Shri Sujit Mandal (MaiharGharana) from 2006. He attended Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia Ji’s BrindabanGurukul in Bhubaneswar on a two month music scholarship awarded by Krishna Prerna Trust, and experienced the tradition of Guru ShishyaParampara. He has been a part of various musical groups/bands and also given various solo performances. His lead flute is the most noticeable sound in every Folka Dot song.

Vaishali Chakravarty is a leading theatre practitioner of Delhi and a member of the Actor Factor Theatre Company. Her performances have consistently found a special mention in national dailies. She has trained under theatre veterans like Vineet Kumar, Sabitri Devi and Heisnam Kanhailal, she has also been awarded the ‘Associate of Trinity College London – Diploma in Speech and Drama with Distinction’. Vaishali is also singer, songwriter and composer. She can sing in several languages with ease. Her powerful vocals and presence on stage emotionally stirs the Folka Dots audiences on every occasion.

Soumyajit Dutta, popularly known as ‘Sam’, is a bassist from Kolkata, India. In 1990 he co-founded the band Easy Rider. A self-taught musician, Sam played Blues, Rock, Jazz, Latin, Afro and Indian Alternative genres. He has opened for top Indian bands like Krosswinds, and Parikrama.During his college days he won best band awards at several festivals at IIT KGP and IIMC. From 1998-2003 he played for bands-Abhilashaand Graven Image. He moved to Gurgaon in 2003 and formed the Genpact corporate band with Amit Mandal and Fabien Waters which won the best corporate band in 2004 and 2005. His musical influences are Grateful Dead, Phish, Weather Report, Miles Davis, JacoPastorious, High, Paco de Lucia, Al di Myola, Lou Hilt,AmytDatta, KoochuDatta, Frank Zappa and Lou Mojo.

Devanshi Arora began singing and performing at an early age. Her influences range from soft classical to folk to blues and jazz. Born and brough up in Delhi, she grew up listening to her father recite poetry by Ghalib and Bulleh Shah. That's where her fascination for Punjabi music and poetry began. With each Folka Dots song, she explores her own folklore and heritage a little bit more. Devanshi is training in classical Hindustani music. Besides Folka Dots, she performs with other indie collectives. She works as an associate producer and voice artist/puppeteer on NDTV. Her current obsession is punjabi folk poetry.

Event Details
Sunday, 27 September
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
(Followed by Dinner)

This is a Private Gathering and a Free Concert. Donation to the Artists are Welcome.

You are invited to have dinner after the concert at a subsidized contribution.

For reservations for concert and/or dinner:

07827706109
09311131096
radiate@zorbathebuddha.org