The performance artists of the Indian Subcontinent are in a slump. Demand for live shows has decreased while the 'bread and butter' jobs in the film industry which used to tide them over - are now being executed solely on synthesizers, drum machines and samplers. It is to this effect that Balu is evolving a plan to preserve his heritage.
Balu and Zakir Hussain after a performance
The gentleman lurking behind them is percussionist G. Paratha Sarathy, known for his 'bag of tricks' composed of folk styles, exotic rhythms, and a variety of sound effects - including tribal animal calls. His talents are used to provide ethnic and diverse flavour to film productions, though never used in a Hindustani Classical performance.
The Plan Balu is currently working out the logistics of recording several CD-Rom's of traditional carnatic rhythms recorded with painstaking precision and tuning - with the electronic musician in mind.
His idea is that a single recording - if attention is paid to detail and authenticity - can be used to generate multiple products. First, pure audio loops for samplers - in many keys so that the pitch of the instrument is never strained. Second - an educational series for ethnomusicologists and interested students. Third - product specific Cd-Roms for individual samplers which require them.
He is negotiating with several companies in the US to find the fairest deal - and he insists that they not be too exploitative and 'make do' with any inferior takes - as is often the case in projects of this type.