Shilpa Ananth, an Indian vocalist, songwriter, and performing artist, will be performing an opening set at the concert.
The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) will host the UAE premiere of the Balimaya Project on March 3 at The Red Theater, with UAE-based Indian vocalist, songwriter, and performing artist Shilpa Ananth performing an opening set.
The Balimaya Project employs the Mandé peoples’ musical repertoire and instrumentation from Senegal and Mali to unite West African folk music with jazz and the sounds of Black London.
Yahael Camara Onono, a renowned UK-based Djembe player and composer/arranger, leads the project. Balimaya Project’s goal is to reclaim their ancestral culture and music by producing distinctive and exhilarating music, which has gained popularity both locally and internationally.
The term “Balimaya” originates from the Maninka language and denotes the fundamental idea of kinship. Within the Mandé society, the notion of kinship is deeply ingrained in the ethical framework of its members.
The notion of family extends beyond biological ties and encompasses a complex network of relationships created through marriage, shared ethnic history, cousinage, and mutual aid.
The Balimaya Project draws inspiration from this extended family model and strives to demonstrate that despite being born in the urban environment of London, they remain deeply connected to their Mandé cultural heritage.
Through their innovative approach to reconnecting with traditional Mandé music and culture, they aim to celebrate and preserve their roots.
Shilpa Ananth, an Indian vocalist, songwriter, and performing artist who splits her time between the US and the UAE, has a distinct sound that blends the ethereal landscapes of South India with influences from Soul, Jazz, and Electronic music.
She incorporates three of the oldest Indian languages, namely Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi, as well as English to create music that transcends borders and cultures.
Shilpa graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music, and her debut EP, ‘Indian Soul,’ was well-received.
She has worked with renowned composers, including Grammy award-winners A.R.Rahman, Bobby McFerrin, Bill Whalen, Chandrika Tandon, and Javier Limon’s ‘Original Quartet,’ and has toured extensively with groups such as the Berklee Indian Ensemble, Women of the World, and the ‘Bollywood Boulevard’ musical production.
Shilpa is currently working on her second EP of original music, titled ‘Reproduction,’ which is set to release in the Summer 2023.
Date
3 March
Location
The Red Theatre at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Follow Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life for all the latest events across the capital and beyond
