Soul Samvad lights up Kampala

By Denis Dibele

Ever heard of Indian soul Samvad? Well, over the weekend, one of India's innovative bands, Soul Samvad was in Kampala. They were at Lohana community hall to entertain the lovers of soul music.

The band derives its name from a fusion of the English word ‘soul’ and the Sanskrit word ‘samvad’; which means conservation.

The Indian High Commission together with Indian Council of Cultural Relations and the Indian Association of Uganda made it a point to ensure that this band came and performed.

The list of guests was dominated by diplomats accredited to Uganda and as the band played, the ambassadors nodded in approval of the band's good performance.

The highlight of the night was a performance by Soul Samvad member; Mahua Shankar who performed an Indian classic dance called Kathak.
 The performer had to her credit; subtle innovations to the classic dance form; while preserving the tenets of the classic style.

The band leader, Murad Ali Khan also delivered with the Saranqi; a Hindi bowed, short-necked string instrument. 
The performances lasted a little more than two hours and outstanding on the music list was Tarana invocation, mid night romance and Saturday night in Dehli that lasted between 10 to 12 minutes on each performance.

Other members of the band were Anirbaan Ghosh (playingbass), Shuheb Hasan on vocals, Zakir Hussain (on Tabla), Ayush Gupta (on the drum and percussion) and Kamal Kharera on the Keyboard.