Kita Thaka Thom: When Jazz meets Carnatic Music

Formed in 2015, Varsha is a Singaporean band whose infectious uplifting songs reflect the multitude of music origins of its members. Spanning from Carnatic music (from South India) to jazz, rock, and Latin percussion, this quintet will perform various pieces and invite students to learn the rudiments of konnakkol (rhythmic vocalisation) and swaras (solfege singing) as well as a few jazz and rock idioms. 

With these useful musical tools (and textures) on hand, the students will be able to appreciate composition and improvisation as a fun part of music-making through this interactive performance.

Beginners with no music training are welcome and encouraged to attend this performance.

Learning Objectives

• Listen to a live performance by a Singapore band and discover different music influences including jazz, rock and Carnatic music

• Gain a basic understanding of various instruments featured

• Participate in simple konnakkol and swaras exercises and learn a few jazz idioms

• Use the rhythms learnt as building blocks towards composing music

• Gain an awareness of how band members work together to compose and perform music

For Educators

As a companion programme, there is a development workshop, First Jazz Encounters in the Classroom by Dr. Tony Makarome specially for educators.