5 Questions with Niladri Kumaar
Penn Live Arts Debuts Philadelphia Premieres World Music
1) Tell us about your background; what first got you into music?
I was four years old when I started to learn the sitar and I had a short "hitting instrument" stint with the tabla when I was about three. I played my first performance when I was six in India. My father, Pandit Kartick Kumar, was the fourth generation in a line of sitar players, so I was learning music and playing as soon as my limbs and brain worked in that direction. My father guided me into music right from the time I was in my mother’s womb, so the journey goes back a long way I suppose.
My forefathers were from Bengal, and my father is my guru, my idol and my inspiration. My mother is also the reason I pursue music.
2) How would you describe the music that you typically create? What themes do you pursue in your work?
Melodies that can resonate, evoke feelings and maybe also draw a visual within. You can dance and smile inside when hearing the music; I think that would be a good basis.
I don’t pursue any one particular theme, except for that, many times, my focus is to illuminate the grandeur, charm and the magnificence of Indian music in general.
3) What projects are you working on currently?
Right now, I am on this 17-city U.S. tour. Then, I will go back to maybe recording an album that I can bring with me in April of 2027 for the second leg of the tour.
4) What role does the musician have in today’s world?
Every person in a position of power and whoever has the power to influence the life of another being should be taught music[SK2.1]. Once a person has a little music within, then he or she will resonate and have a certain humane emotion and generosity towards the other. So, you can imagine what a musician can do then.
5) Does your work comment on current social or political issues?
I don’t know if it connects or comments, but I do know that if a moment of beauty and charm—however brief it may be—can be experienced by the listener during a concert, a great deal of good could come out of it—both socially and politically—because it ultimately is for the people and by the people.