A string quartet by the name of the capital of Carnatic classical music of the world could be quite a curious moniker for anybody. In this concert the Madras String Quartet will take you by a surprise as it presents compositions that delightfully combine the East and West, engaging the audience in a melodious treat. The quartet plays six compositions by the major musical maestros of Carnatic music built on the harmonic foundation of the violin, viola and cello. V.S. Narasimhan remains the solo voice of the quartet throughout as well as the arranger of all the compositions.

The Madras String quartet was started in 1993 by musicians who played on tracks in the film industry of India. Chamber music of the string quartet tradition has developed independently in India in the 19th and 20th centuries. This quartet showcases the interesting relationship between this independently developed tradition and the western string quartet tradition.

VS Narasimhan (violin)
Hemanthraj Muliyil (violin)
V.R. Sekar (cello)
B. J. Chandran (viola)

Compositions
Navaragamalika Varnam, Nine Ragas in Adi Tala
Manavi, Raga Nalinakanthi in Adi Tala
Esane, Raga Chakravakam in Taalam Rupakam
Gnaana Mosagaraadha, Raga Purvikalyani in Adi Tala
Sri Subramanaya, Raga Kambodhi in Taalam Rupakam
Orajupu, Raga Kannadagowla in Adi Tala