Biruta Ozoliņa and Subrata De: A Cross-Cultural Musical Journey
In a remarkable fusion of Latgalian and Indian musical traditions, Biruta Ozoliņa, a latvian musician and pedagogue, has collaborated with Shri Subrata De, a maestro of the Bishnupur gharana classical music school from New Delhi, India. Their joint studio album, a testament to their shared passion for traditional music, is set to release on february 5, 2025, with a grand opening event scheduled for February 11 at the LNB Ridge Hall.
The project began with a sudden spark of inspiration for Ozoliņa. “This idea came to me suddenly when I started singing with the ancient Bolsus of Latgalian, when I listened to Rags for a long time,” she recalls. “The moment of confidence was blown away, and I clearly knew that the music in the sky was ready, all I had to do is materialize.” This realization led to an extensive collaboration with Subrata De, her friend and guru, who brought his expertise in the rich traditions of Hindustani classical music.
Subrata De, representing the Bishnupur gharana, is renowned for his ability to create expressive musical imagery, blending rich colors and moods. In Latgale’s ancient singing, he found striking resemblances to India’s traditional music, particularly in the use of parables, phrases, and elements of the dhrupad singing style. “But, most importantly, focusing on a deep, personal experience,” he notes.
The album features pristine chants from South Latgale, stylistically closer to Lithuanian folklore than Latvian. thes chants originate from the Upper Daugava Region, including areas like Auleja, Nierza, Izventa, and Andrupene, where centuries-old recordings by Anna Berzkalne have preserved the voices of the past.
The collaboration was not without its challenges. Ozoliņa admits, “Sometimes I wonder about my recklessness, but I did not regret that I organized Subrata de solo concerts in Latvia in 2023. Because in this way we were able to fulfill our dream – our joint studio record.”
From February 5, the album will be available at major music outlets in Latvia and online. The opening event on February 11 promises to be a celebration of this cross-cultural masterpiece, offering audiences a chance to experience the harmonious blend of Latgalian and Indian musical traditions.
| Key Details |
|——————|
| Release Date | February 5, 2025 |
| Opening Event | February 11, 2025, at LNB Ridge Hall |
| Featured Regions | Upper Daugava Region (Auleja, Nierza, Izventa, andrupene) |
| Musical Styles | Latgalian chants, Hindustani classical music |
this album is not just a musical achievement but a bridge between cultures, showcasing the worldwide language of music. Don’t miss the chance to witness this extraordinary collaboration—mark your calendars for the opening event and immerse yourself in the timeless melodies of Biruta Ozoliņa and Subrata De.
Biruta Ozoliņa and Subrata De: A Cross-Cultural Musical Journey
Table of Contents
In a remarkable fusion of Latgalian and Indian musical traditions, Biruta Ozoliņa, a Latvian musician and pedagogue, has collaborated with Subrata De, a maestro of the Bishnupur gharana classical music school from New Delhi, india. Their joint studio album, a testament to their shared passion for customary music, is set to release on February 5, 2025, with a grand opening event scheduled for February 11 at the LNB Ridge Hall.
The Spark of Inspiration
Senior Editor (SE): Biruta, your collaboration with Subrata de sounds captivating. Could you tell us more about the initial inspiration behind this project?
Biruta Ozoliņa: Certainly! It all began when I was immersed in singing with the ancient Bolsus of Latgalian and listening to Rags. In that moment, I felt a sudden clarity—the music in the sky was ready, and all I had to do was materialize it. This realization sparked the idea for the album.
Bridging Latgalian and Indian Traditions
SE: Subrata, how did you find connections between Latgalian singing and Indian classical music?
Subrata De: In Latgale’s ancient singing, I noticed striking resemblances to India’s traditional music, especially in the use of parables, phrases, and elements of the dhrupad style. But what resonated most was the focus on deep, personal experience. It’s this shared emotional depth that made the collaboration so natural.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
SE: The album features chants from South Latgale. Can you elaborate on their ancient and cultural significance?
Biruta Ozoliņa: These chants originate from the Upper Daugava region, including areas like auleja, Nierza, Izventa, and Andrupene. They are stylistically closer to Lithuanian folklore than Latvian. Thanks to the early 20th-century recordings by Anna Berzkalne, we’ve been able to preserve these centuries-old voices.
Challenges and Triumphs
SE: What were some of the challenges you faced during this collaboration?
Biruta Ozoliņa: There were moments of doubt, especially when organizing Subrata De’s solo concerts in Latvia in 2023. However,it was thru these efforts that we were able to fulfill our dream of creating this joint studio record. Every challenge was worth it.
Looking Ahead
SE: What can audiences expect from the album and the opening event?
Subrata De: The album is a harmonious blend of Latgalian and Indian musical traditions, offering listeners a unique cross-cultural experience. The opening event on February 11 will be a festivity of this masterpiece, where audiences can immerse themselves in the timeless melodies we’ve created together.
