Chakra Suite by Alex Shapiro (ASCAP)
Performed by Thakur Chakrapani Singh, veena; Mr. Jitendra, tablas; Alex Shapiro, guitar and electronics
Published by Activist Music LLC (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved.

Chakra Suite for 32-string Veena, Tabla, 6-string Guitar and Electronic soundscape.

"In 2004 I received an email out of the blue from New Delhi, India, signed by Thakur Chakrapani Singh. In it he wrote me that having visited my website, he enjoyed my music and was very interested in a collaboration with me. “I want to do something new in music field, not like a fusion but some exemplary creative work.” My feelings, always. I immediately went to Chakrapani’s website and listened to the excerpts of his ragas, entranced. I had never collaborated with another composer before, but I sensed that a wonderful opportunity had presented itself to me, in the form of this brilliantly gifted veena maestro.

Indian music is centered around linear melody and rhythm. Western music is all about vertical harmony and counterpoint. Two very different approaches to creating music, but in this case, I saw it as two halves of what could be a lovely whole."

Ragas recorded in May 2005 by and electronics recorded in September, 2005 by Alex Shapiro.
 
Veena and tabla recorded at Amplyfi Audio Architect, Amritpuri,New Delhi-110065, India.

Veena and tabla track engineered and recorded by Sumit Kumar.

Learn more at https://www.alexshapiro.org/ChakraSuitepg1.html.

Chakra Suite

Chakra Suite - Shapiro

In this intimate piano song, featuring classical Indian flute, I reflect on the complex and at times painful journey of exploring and reconciling two elements of my identity: my queerness and my Indian roots. I celebrate that, now, the two co-exist joyfully and beautifully. They are one. I am home.

Home

Of the many, many people named Alex Shapiro out there, I am most likely the only one who composes chamber and electroacoustic wind band music AND who used to breed pythons. Others may claim to have done one, but not both.

Music. Nature. Laughing. Eating well. Friendships. And lots of other fun stuff, too. In no particular order. Unlike the music I compose, the notes of which are definitely in a particular order. If you want to know more about my life as a composer, please visit http://www.alexshapiro.org . And if you want to know where all these notes really come from, please click: http://www.notesfromthekelp.com . Thanks!


Amit Chadda (he/him) is a queer, British Indian singer-songwriter and performer from south London. Described as ‘folk-soul’, Amit’s music fuses intimate, acoustic guitar and piano arrangements with soulful vocals.

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