Flautist Deepak Sarma with other members of Band of Brothers after they arrived in the city on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections

April 6: Bihu songs will sound different this time, with the Band of Brothers all set to add a dash of western music to these traditional numbers.

Several Bihu organisers in the city have engaged the band, which comprises artistes from Assam and abroad, to perform for them.

Internationally acclaimed flautist Deepak Sarma, the brain behind the band, said the artistes will experiment with Bihu songs to come up with something new.

“Music is much the same everywhere. There are many elements in western music that can be blended with Indian songs to create new forms of music. The band is trying to create a blend of fusion music that will touch the hearts of the people. In this current era of globalisation, even music cannot remain restricted to any particular place. It is universally appreciated. We hope that the people would love the Bihu songs in their new form,” he said.

Ralf Kamphuis, a member of the band from Germany, said visiting Assam has been a wonderful experience for him. He said the Assamese are connoisseurs of good music and many of the folk and traditional songs of the state can be nicely blended with western folk music.

“I have learnt to sing some Assamese songs as well. The musical concerts held during Rongali Bihu celebrations will be a platform to reach out to large numbers of people. It is an ideal way to take fusion music to the masses. We are sure the people will love these songs in their new avatar,” said Kamphuis, who plays the vibraphone, a percussion instrument also called the vibraharps or simply the vibes.

Another member of the band, Leena Aathporia, who stays in Canada and plays the violin, echoes similar views. Aathporia said even though she was born and brought up in Canada, her mind and soul are still attached to her roots in Assam.

“Music knows no barriers. There is nothing wrong in fusing Assamese and western music. Being an Assamese, it gives me immense pleasure to see Bihu songs appropriately blended with western music,” she said.

The band has already performed in different parts of the state, presenting a fusion of Indian classical songs and music. The other members of the band are Matia Maiya from Europe and local artistes Dibyajyoti Goswami, Pankaj Bora, Papu Gogoi, Bishnu Sarma and Tanmoy Choudhury.

The Guwahati Bihu Sanmilan at Latasil playground, Noonmati Bihu Sanmilan and many other bihutolis have arranged for the Band of Brothers to perform as special Bihu attraction.

Basanta Das, general secretary of Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilan at Chandmari, said the fusion would be sure to enthral the audience. He said in the Internet age, people’s tastes in music were also undergoing changes.

“They simply do not like to hear the same songs sung over and over again. One needs to be creative in order to entertain the audience. We are sure the band will take the audience by storm,” he said.