Vayali: Crafting Unforgettable Sound from Bamboo
Vayali, a spirited collective from Thrissur, Kerala, is reshaping Indian folk music with their pioneering Bamboo Music Band. Founded in 2004 to revive riverbank traditions, the group gained acclaim after performing in Japan and launching India’s first band using exclusively bamboo-crafted instruments. Led by dynamic artists like Kuttan Arangod and Pradeep K.V.Vayali blends folk heritage with modern rhythms, performing across India and abroad with an ensemble of over 25 unique bamboo instruments, and celebrating nature as the essence of culture.
Chatting with the amazing band members Khanak comes out with some interesting insights about the uniquely talented musicians and the connect between nature, culture and scoiety
Q. Can you tell us about your coming together as a band?
A Vayali started its journey way in 2004 as a folklore group, dedicated to learn and impart the traditional knowledge systems nourished on the banks of river Nila. As we grow, we have branched our actions to many diverse areas like, river studies and documentation, alternative learning, Innovative Music (Bamboo Music), Craft revival etc.
Q. Please tell us about your musical influences. Is it mainly Rhythm or melody the drives Vayali?
A Vayali started its journey a folk music group in 2004, which eventually it became our core area of focus. However, we remain flexible and consider all sorts of music for the Bamboo Band. We are flexible and continue our exploration with all music genres sorts.
Q. What is your repertoire and how do you pick your set for your shows?
A We look at the social and cultural context of shows. The kind of audience and their expectations. As our music is innovative the audience ideally should be encouraging and receptive and appreciate the efforts we have taken.
Q. Please tell us about playing with the Japanese Bamboo Band and its contribution in your musical thinking?
A In 2007, we had the opportunity to visit Japan when India and Japan were celebrating their friendship year. The actual connection, though, started couple of years back, when they were in Kerala for a performance. The band inspired us deeply and we took steps towards replicating the same pattern here. Our initial idea was to explore the potential of Bamboo as a music instrument or the cultural significance of Bamboo. The association with Bamboo team really helped us shape the contemporary music and cement the relationship. It was clear that we are essentially birds of the same musical tribe with a matching musical wavelength.
Q. The fact that you use only bamboo made instrument is truly phenomenal. Can you tell us about the thought behind this style?
A As part of our initial research we were exploring traditional music instruments and could trace many such traditional music instruments. There were others that had already gone for a makeover to other materials. We tried to create such instruments initially and link those instruments and create a symphony. This was an ordeal as the instruments belonged to different categories and tuning for harmonized music was a challenge. As the next phase, we started identifying the gaps in our music compositions and tried to fill with new innovative music instruments, that we later got adapted to many well-known instruments from other mediums.
Q. These are all innovative instruments and not factory produced. How did you find the makers for these exotic creations? How do you tune these instruments?
A We have a dedicated team, that keeps working on innovating on instruments. The initial step is to develop the concept / idea for a new instrument and then engineer it. To get it right, the journey may take weeks and months. Once successful in the endeavor we tune the instrument as needed. It’s a continuous process we invest effort in.
Q. Which among this is the most challenging instrument to play and why?
A All the instruments are different in their qualities with diversified behavior. We prefer all instruments equally, as all contribute differently to the music compositions.
Q. Tribal percussion instruments apart you have also made instruments inspired by other instruments from the world. Can you give us an example of one such instrument?
A Most of the instruments we use are made by us according to our rhythms and music. There are more than 20 instruments.
Saptaswara is made by combining two octaves of seven tones. It is made by utilizing the sound produced when the wind is passed through.
Q. You started off as a folk band but diversified into other genres over time. What was the transition like?
A There are two main reasons. One obviously was our interaction with the world-famous Japan Bamboo Band and the other was our dream to have a platform where our artists can explore and innovate on the music they wish. We’re aware that traditional music practices have their own ecosystem or defined dimensions. While we agree with these and do not want to dilute the traditional practices, we wish to look for more avenues.
Q. Is there a preference for outdoor seating or an auditorium?
A Not in particular, but given its resonance with nature we prefer outdoors.
Q. Can you tell us about your international collaborations and the experience it has been?
A We had many international and national artists collaborated with us, stayed with us and worked on different music innovations. We had international interns visited us and tried to learn this innovative music.
Q Tell us about your belief in nature and culture and the way it influences your music?
A We strongly believe, culture gains a large part of its nourishment from nature and without nature nothing works as is evident across the world. I can say that without nature, culture cannot exist and consequently without culture, a society cannot.
Q Are you bringing us some new compositions at Serendipity and Soundscapes of India?
A We can surely try for the same and may surprise you with something impromptu creation with the audience
Vibhav Rao
