Noorie :Kavish Seth’s musical innovation bringing world music to one fret board
The realization that India is blessed in its musical abundance kindled the urge in Kavish Seth to explore the possibilities of starting his own journey as an independent musician. The adventure spirit in him took off with the Zuban Music Project, a collaborative effort that gave him ample opportunities to perform across India and with a variety of Indian musicians.
The casual inquiry of a fellow train traveler about why he did not play an Indian instrument and chose the guitar, set him thinking. And Kavish given his constraint of time, as an IIT student and the rigors of taking a Guru, decided to create his own instrument with Indian sounds along with the guitar facets like chord playing.
Kavish, wanted his instrument to accommodate and be at its best for every style of music including Arabic, Western Polyphony and Indian music; and importantly to transcend musical borders. Focusing on learning about the rigors of instrument making Kavish invested months in his dream pursuit.
Noori, is the fascinating hybrid instrument sculpted out of these multifarious factors coming together in perfect synchronization.
The instrument combines Indian string resonance, harmonic progressions, easy switching between ragas, warm tones reminiscent of Indian instruments.
4 iterations of the instrument are in practice today. The first was a basic prototype that blended guitar frame with an Indian string set up. The next two had refined resonance and improved sustain. The fourth is a handcrafted beauty with superior tone and lightweight hardwood body.
Kavish Seth is keen to scale up the manufacture of his incredible crossover instrument forging world music unity.
We wish him all the best on his unique musical journey!
Vibhav Rao