Sudha Ragunathan, a renowned Carnatic composer and vocalist, is set to play at the World of Music, Art and Dance (WOMAD) festival 2017.
The international festival, which brings together artists from all over the globe, will be held at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth, Taranaki, featuring six stages and delivering 30 hours of entertainment from March 17 to 19.
Sudha Ragunathan is the only Indian artist to perform at the prestigious WOMAD festival this year. Last year, the festival saw a performance by Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle. WOMAD will be Ms/Mrs Ragunathan's second gig in New Zealand, the first being Auckland Arts Festival in 2012.
Ms Ragunathan is the discipline of legendary singer M L Vasanthakumari, who encouraged her to pursue music. She has a powerful and captivating voice, classical singing style, and a charming stage presence and is adored by her audiences in India and overseas. She has received many awards, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan from the President of India. She also holds a Masters Degree in Economics from the Madras University.
Ms Ragunathan has represented India at several international festivals and has been previously invited to Norway, Tunis, Israel, the US, and the Middle East. She has experimented with films, and with fusion and world music without compromising the purity of her traditional singing.
Ms Ragunathan also performed the song Vande Mataram at the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi on January 27 in 2000. She is also a top ranking artist for Prasar Bharati, Chennai and performs at important events of All India Radio and Doordarshan.
About Carnatic music
Carnatic music, untouched by secular Muslim influences, has remained devotional in nature. It is much more highly structured than Hindustani (North Indian) music with a stricter rhythmic system. It usually avoids the alaap—the slow beginning—and is not restricted to time and season. Its heart is the kirtis short bursts of vigorous singing, in which Ms Ragunathan excels.
Her performance is scheduled at 7:15 p.m. on March 17 at the Dell Stage.
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