Alif Laila: 2013

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Alif Laila ~ Sitar "Dance With The Wind"

This is a clip from a 'work in progress' of sitar compositions in Indian classical music with world percussion,

by Alif Laila

Tabla~ Debapriya Nayak

African Udu ~ Mattias Ructh

The music is based on various raags and world melodies and moods.This composition is based on a Nazrul Geeti from Bengal 'Shukno patar nupur paye' imbibed from a Turkish song ' Üsküdara Gideriken'..The images are from Alif's water-color paintings.

This is symbolic of the unifying elements of all cultures and peoples.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

'Jor Alaap' in sitar & watercolor paintings of Raga Multani by Alif Laila

Washington Kali Temple, May 2012

A memorable performance at the Washington Kali Temple, May 2012

Upcoming Concerts:

- September 20th: Sitar recital at Dakshina 10th Anniversary Festival "Confluence"

- October 9th : Holy Cross College Conservatory of Music . Sitar and Jazz performance/workshop.

- October 26th : New Jersey house concert.

- November: 3rd: Hope Foundation Fund Raising concert, Baltimore MD

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Up Coming Concert

April 14th from 7:30pm to 9:00pm.

Pealer Recital Hall

101 Braddock Road

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, MD

Jor Alap in sitar and water color paintings of Raga Multani by Alif Laila

view you tube video

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Nov/Dec '12 Concert Tour photos

Liverpool UK, Milapfest concert Nov 24th : Yuvraj,Milapfest.

Purcell Room, London, UK 29th: Uwe Wolf.

Dhaka Bangladesh, Bengal Foundation/SRA concert, Dec 2nd: Shahadat MIrza, Prothom Alo.

Dhaka, Bangladesh,Radius Center Dec 18: Shahadat Mirza.

Kolkata, India, Bhabanipur Sangeet Sammelan. Concert, 23rd Dec : Shonali Ghorai

Bhunashwar , Orissa. Concert Dec 29th.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

New Video:
Maryland Hall for creative Arts, Annapolis, MD
Sep 16, 2012

"Raag Hameer"
from a sitar concert hosted by World Artists Experiences, with Anubrata Chatterjee on tabla

"This Hameer composition is based on a classical Bengali Nazrul Geeti 'Ajo Kade Kanone' describing the passion of love in nature."

Biography

Hello and welcome!

I was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh. My connection with the arts was very deep since childhood. After my initial training in vocal music, I was inspired to learn the sitar by my mother, Shehida, who opened the doors and guided me into the spiritual depth of the intricacies of all forms of arts in life.

My first guru was Ustad Mir Qasem Khan, nephew of the legendary Ustad Allauddin Khan. Later in life I learned from Partha Chatterjee and Krishna Bhatt. At present I am taking guidance from Kushal Das. I graduated from the College of Fine Art in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and received several awards for my paintings. The world of rhythm and tone in drawing and painting gradually merged with my music and my love story with the arts began.

I have performed extensively in Bangladesh, India, and the USA. I have released six CDs and two DVDs. 'Sangam', one of my CDs, was recorded in a unique analogue system of sound engineering by Mapleshade Records. My DVD ‘Hrydayaragam’ was recorded in Kerala, India and was presented as part of the Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Another DVD, ‘The Strings Of Resonance’ connects the Indian Classical music to the heritage of the land. I am happy to present my latest work,'The Romance Of Raags And Songs In Bengal’ as a tribute to Bengali songs by two great poet/composers of Bengal, Tagore and Nazrul.

I am always sincerely trying to express and present my music as the complete ‘art’ of my life.

With devotion and dedication I embrace the sitar as the instrument of my soul.

For more information please visit my website:

http://www.aliflailasitar.com/

Or contact me by email at:

music@aliflailasitar.com

Alif Laila