Paperboats/ Bickram Ghosh, Kala Ramnath - Indo-fusion

By Narendra Kusnur 

Album: Paperboats
Artistes: Bickram Ghosh, Kala Ramnath
Genre: Indo-fusion
Label: Self-released
Rating: ****

One of the most prolific tabla players in the Hindustani classical field, tabla exponent Bickram Ghosh is also known for his Indo-fusion and percussion-based projects. Albums like Rhythmscape, Drum Invasion, Beyond Rhythmscape and Electro Classical have been admired by connoisseurs and lay listeners alike.

On his latest project Paperboats, Ghosh teams up with brilliant Hindustani violinist Kala Ramnath and a host of world music artistes to create a fine amalgam of raag-based melodies, jazz inflections and world music sounds. Ramnath shows amazing technique and brings out the right emotions.

Paperboats has seven compositions. The title track, which is themed around innocence and the need to express love, features marvellous vocals by Afghan artiste Elaha Soroor, besides the haunting woodwind instrument duduk. Egyptian-American pianist Osam Ezzeldin dazzles on ‘Colours Of Skin’, a plea against racism.

‘Children Of Truth’, based on the innocence of childhood, features the haunting work of cellist Barry Philips. The buoyant ‘Sway Together’, about finding joy in unity, has immaculate contributions by American saxophonist George Brooks and Italian guitarist Giauliano Moderalli. Vocalist Seheno makes a guest appearance on the self-explanatory ‘One World For All’, enhanced by a tune from Madagascar.

Vocalist Nirmalya Kumar and Piu Mukherjee, drummer Arun Kumar and congrero Khalid Kouhen appear on ‘A Better Place’, based on raag Hansadhwani. The album winds up with ‘The Death Of War’, which appeals for peace, has masterful rhythms by Ghosh, multi-percussionist Greg Ellis and mridangam player S. Shekhar, also making use of the Japanese flute shakuhachi.

As the titles of the tracks suggest, Paperboats is a concept album with a positive and relevant message. The entire feel is Indian, and yet, global sounds are fused most appropriately. Ramnath dazzles with her sheer command over the violin, bringing out the nuances rather smoothly.

The best thing about Ghosh’s playing is his tone. One can't think of an exact word to describe it, but it's like a pleasant breeze flowing near a smooth riverside – and one can only imagine a stream of boats pass by. Besides the tabla, he plays the cajon, shakers, frame drums, talking drums, Tibetan bowls, duff, nagara, kanjeera and other percussion instruments. His rhythmic versatility and Ramnath’s fluency make Paperboats a delightful listening experience.