At a Queensland in Song concert to celebrate Queensland choral music and a theme of representing people, places and sounds of our state Voices of Birralee was keen to include a piece that reflected our multicultural society. Dr Charulatha Mani was approached to create a piece and excitedly undertook writing a work that drew on her skills as a world renowned vocal performer of South Indian Karnatik Music.
This piece draws inspiration from the Brisbane river or Meeanjin/Maiwar in the Turrbal language. Drawing on melodic and rhythmic principles of South Indian Karnatik music, Dr Mani has set the piece on Raga, called ‘Hamsadhwani’, literally translating to ‘sound of the swan’. Dr Mani has composed the text in Sanskrit, the ancient vedic language.
The choir were challenged not just by the melodic and harmonic language but the bold inflections, intricate embellishments, and idiosyncrasies typical of singing in this Karnatik style.
Written for SATB choir, unaccompanied the score can be purchased from the composer.
Charu speaks about the creation of the piece here.