Program Notes
Jahaaṅ translates roughly to, “the place where…” It is this sense of both distance and possibility that I wanted to convey in these arrangements of folk songs from different states and languages within India.
Each of these songs touches on the feeling of ‘home’ in a different way. Mor Bani Thanghat Kare (Gujarati) is about the joy associated with rain in the deserts of Gujarat. Are Sausar Sausar (Marathi) uses the making of bread as a metaphor for a deep, lasting marriage. Boitha Maro Re (Bengali/Assamese) is from an area with many waterways — and it speaks of a boat and its oar as a metaphor for a life guided by the hand of the divine. Dharti Dhora Ri (Marwari) recounts the unearthly beauty of the sand dunes of Rajasthan. And Kuttanadan Punjayile (Malayalam) describes the snake boat races around Onam, in a fight song of pride for home and community.
While my training is in classical music (both Western and Hindustani), I loved learning the music of these vibrant folk traditions in India, and I wanted choirs all over the world to experience them too.
Recording
(archival recording will be available after the premiere)
Special Performance Requirements
This work is designed for a standard SATB chorus — no special knowledge of Indian music or styles is required to perform this music — extensive audio guides are available to help with pronunciation/diction.
These pieces are designed to be quite similar to the original songs, which means that it is possible to dance to them, to add Indian folk instruments, et al. Please feel free to augment as you would like, and to be creative with your performances of this work.
Audio Guide
(audio guides are available — please contact us if you have purchased this work and would like to use the audio guides.)
Premiere/Performances
Jahaaṅ was premiered on March 16, 2025 at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Jenny Wong.
