Persian presence at Avataran ‘22 by October Octaves

Iranian musicians Asal Malekzadeh and Ali Seriri have been not too long ago in Bengaluru to carry out at Avataran ‘22, the annual live performance introduced by October Octaves. Asal is a percussionist who specialises on the daf, an Iranian tambourine of types, whereas Ali performs the kamancheh, a bowed string instrument, utilized in Center Jap music.

Whereas the duo have carried out collectively for numerous occasions, this was the primary time they have been collaborating outdoors their homeland and their first journey to India. “We journey frequently to loads of overseas nations to conduct workshops and grasp lessons and work with completely different music teams,” says Malekzadeh.

Malekzadeh who performs all method of percussion devices — drums, congas, cajons — says she fell in love with the daf when she was about 12. “I felt it hold time to the beat of my coronary heart. It’s a dynamic instrument. I can play different devices too, however the daf is particular to me.”

For Seriri too, his enchantment with the kamancheh started as a preteen. “Most musicians again house play the kamancheh and daf; our conventional musical devices.” “Ali started by taking part in the tombak (a goblet drum) as a toddler, earlier than giving the kamancheh his coronary heart and soul,“ says Malekzadeh, translating from Persian.

Ali Seriri at Avataran ‘22
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association

Hailing from the town of Kermanshah, Seriri is a flexible musician who has carried out with plenty of worldwide artistes. Over the previous 10 years, other than recording albums, he has additionally composed the scores for movies in Iran.

Speaking about what conjures up her work with the daf, Malekzadeh says, ”I like the vibrations it produces; it’s as if my coronary heart is thrashing outdoors my chest.” Whereas Malekzadeh’s creativity appears extra hands-on, Seriri’s expertise is reasonably transcendental. “Making music transports him to a different realm,” she says.

Following their efficiency in India, Malekzadeh heads to Denmark for a recording. She additionally has an upcoming live performance in France and workshop in Spain. Seriri then again, heads again house to Tehran to compose tracks for an upcoming movie.

Asal Malekzadeh at Avataran ‘22
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association

Since its inception in 2015, October Octaves has at all times introduced collectively musicians from completely different genres with intention to result in musical consciousness within the residents of the town. Titled ‘Avataran ‘22,’ this 12 months’s occasion noticed Rajhesh Vaidhya, Abhijith P.S Nair, Giridhar Udupa, Keith Peters, Jeoraj George, Sandeep Mohan, Mahesh Mani and Joe Johnson, carry out with Malekzadeh and Seriri.