Krannert continues its run of hosting spectacular international touring acts this fall with the Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India’s presentation of “The Spirit of India” on Tuesday, November 3rd. Created by Indian musician Rahis Bharti, the promised “lively musical journey from Rajasthan to Mumbai” will bring a talented and diverse group of performers to the Foellinger Great Hall.
The evening’s music is intended to be a blend of Western and Eastern influences, featuring brass musical instruments of the West alongside the traditional musical instruments of India. Rais Bharti is particularly adept at the tabla, a percussion instrument consisting of two small drums that has been played in India for over 2000 years. Other Indian percussion instruments such as the khartal and the dholak will also be prominent, as well as instruments like the trombone and clarinet that Western audiences may find more familiar.
With as many as 17 artists onstage at one time, the evening promises to be a memorable spectacle blending colorful sights with evocative music and sounds. Dancers will accompany much of the music, treating audience members to a “Snake Charming Dance” as well as a “Courtly Spinning Dance”. The program suggests that the evening will feature a variety of moods and tempos, with some music being more spiritual in nature while other numbers will be focused on sheer entertainment.
It also sounds like the Bollywood Masala Orchestra might give the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China, who recently performed in the Great Hall, a bit of competition. Acrobats and a fakir will appear alongside the dancers and musicians and perform a number titled “Bhavai Dance” that is described as a “traditional Rajasthani display of daredevilry including standing on swords and balancing on pots.” Later, an intricate dance will be performed by dancers balancing brass pots on their heads.
If this energetic mixture of music, dance and daredevilry sounds like your kind of thing, The Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Tickets are still available online at the Krannert Box Office or by calling 800-527-2849. Regular single tickets cost $34. Discounted tickets cost $29 for senior citizens, $15 for students, and $10 for U of I students and youth.