Megha by Dr Suma Sudhindra & Gerard Machado

Years of making music together come alive in an evening that moves between the familiar phrases of Carnatic music and the unexpected turns of jazz.

For 35 years, veena virtuoso Dr Suma Sudhindra and jazz guitarist Gerard Machado have explored the connections between Carnatic music and jazz. Founded in Bengaluru in 1991, ‘Megha’ brings together intricate classical ragas, spontaneous improvisation and groove-driven rhythms.

The ensemble presents music from its critically acclaimed albums, Clean Licks and Touch Another Life, released on Sony Music. At the heart of the performance is the interplay between veena and guitar, with keyboards and percussion adding layers to the melodies and driving the rhythm. Konnakol, the Carnatic art of vocal percussion, adds another dimension through rhythmic patterns articulated vocally.

Sudhindra and Machado are joined by BC Manjunath on mridhangam, khanjira and konnakol, Joshua Costa on keyboards and Karthik Mani on drums and konnakol. Together, the five musicians move between intricate Carnatic passages and free-flowing jazz improvisation, allowing the distinct character of each tradition to emerge through their collaboration.