Akshara - Drive East

Akshara is an Indian-Classical-Inspired band that engages through explosive, intricate rhythms and soothing and haunting melodies.Conceived by lead musician and composer Bala Skandan in 2008, Akshara is a pioneer in cross-overwork involving Indian classical and other traditions. Akshara’s compositions meld powerful and complex rhythmic patterns (called Korvais – literally means to thread i.e making a garland) that are found in hard-core Carnatic music – a southern tradition from the Indian sub-continent These are captured and presented by the traditional Indian percussion instruments Mridangam (double-barrel drum performed by Bala himself) and Kanjira (frame drum – performed by Kabilan Jeganathan).Akshara’s melodies are based in traditional Indian ragas that are melodic expressions of particular scales. Bala Skandan intentionally chooses traditional ‘heavy ‘ragas for his compositions in order to have a contemporary exploration but retain the earthy feel of Carnatic tradition to be the undercurrent.To interpret and articulate these melodies require some heavy-hitters.Arun Ramamurthy is a steadfast Carnatic violinist but has vast experience performing with other traditions. He brings his deep classical sound to Akshara to lay down the core music.Trina Basu-Ramamurthy on the second violin adds her background in Western Classical/Bluegrass/Carnatic music to create another exciting layer.Master flautist Jay Gandhi inspires with his improvisational skills honed in both Hindustani and jazz traditions.Maz ZT, hailed as the ‘Jimmy Hendrix of hammered Dulcimer” by NPR dazzles with his musicality gathered from Western classical, Jazz, West African and Hindustani traditions.Akshara has performed in venues of all types and sizes and has ventured to bring Indian-classical-inspired music to new venues. From Juilliard to small musical festivals, Akshara is able to connect with audience of various backgrounds with their friendly approach, exciting rhythm, boundless innovation with deep complex melodies.The combination of skills and experience gathered from various genres by masterful musicians poured into the works by Bala who insists on sticking to his roots creates the unique Akshara sound than can only be ‘made in NYC’.