After the resounding success of its debut edition last year, the Mahindra Percussion Festival is returning for its second season once again to Bengaluru. Having started a cultural conversation around percussion in its inaugural edition, Mahindra Percussion promises to be a grander ode to percussion music and the cultures and subcultures in which it is rooted. The two-day festival, in association with The Hindu and co-sponsored by Carlsberg and Paul John Visitor Centre, will make its way to Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts, Bengaluru on 23rd and 24th March 2024.
The origin story of percussion music is intertwined with the origin of all civilisation. From Madhya Pradesh’s Bhimbetka cave painting dating back to 3000 BC depicting figures holding drums to the pages of 2nd-century classical works like Natyashastra outlining idiophones like ghatams, cymbals and shell instruments — tell a story of how percussion music is tightly woven with our tradition, rituals and culture.
While its role in Indian music has been predominantly that of supporting and embellishing of the vocals or melodic music of instruments or indicating the taal, percussion music has shaped the very essence of India’s rich musical tradition through the years. To give a loud, reverberating voice to this music and pull it back from being rendered obsolete, Mahindra brought forth the Mahindra Percussion Festival last year.
Taking the legacy forward
In its second year, too, the Mahindra Percussion Festival will remain committed to giving a mainstream voice to street-style percussion sounds from across India and beyond. From the unmistakable traditional percussion sounds of the mridangam to contemporary global influences like electronica, the festival will transform its stage into a confluence of diverse rhythmic expressions. Mahindra Percussion promises to be a true celebration of the very heartbeat of music by traversing multiple genres and art forms and blending the expressive power of percussion with rap, poetry and dance — all with the beats of percussion at its core.
With an exciting line-up of homegrown artists, Mahindra Percussion intends to empower the next generation to explore the rich diversity of percussion music and nurture an appreciation for this lost art form amongst them. The festival seeks to bridge the widening gap between the new generation and the percussive art steeped in tradition, giving a new lease of life to the enduring legacy of percussion music.
Furthermore, accompanying this word-class aural experience will be an excellent curation of homegrown food and beverage, making the Mahindra Percussion Festival a feast for the senses.
Jay Shah, Vice President – Cultural Outreach at Mahindra Group, said, “At Mahindra, we have always endeavoured to bring our audiences, particularly millennials and Gen Z, closer to their heritage and culture and give a stage to artists and art forms that are at the margins. The Mahindra Percussion Festival embodies this commitment. Through this exceptional experience, we want the attendee to re-discover the Indian percussion soundscape as well as foster a long-lasting connection with it. For the percussionists, we hope to spotlight their talent and bring them to larger audiences.”
VG Jairam, Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions, added, “We at Hyperlink are committed to exploring and curating a diverse array of percussion forms. The goal of Mahindra Percussion Festival is to support groundbreaking concepts and innovative artists who are pushing the boundaries of the genre. By stepping out of their comfort zones, these artists are creating fresh, exciting content that’s redefining the world of percussion.
The Indian percussion scene is a magnificent tapestry, rich in tradition yet constantly evolving by incorporating global influences. For two days, the Mahindra Percussion Festival will pulse with the vibrant energy of this dynamic soundscape. We invite you to be a part of this exhilarating experience. Secure your spot by booking your tickets on Book My Show. Join us in this celebration of rhythm, culture, and innovation.”
Indian percussion is integral to culture while also absorbing into its soundscape global influences, and for two days, Mahindra Percussion will serve as the beating heart of this thriving soundscape. Registrations for the festival are open – log on to Book My Show to book your tickets now!
