Divine Sounds
Music has been referred to as the universal language of humankind. It's actually been confirmed by several studies, including one in 2020 from Harvard University showing that music is “in fact universal: it exists in every society … regularly associated with behavioural contexts such as infant care, healing, dance and love.”
By Tierney Seccull
Not only does music transcend spoken dialects, it exists in everything from daily life to ceremony, across different cultures and religions around the world.
This month, Arafura Music Collective comes together with the Northern Territory Indian Classical Music Ensemble for Creative Spark – Music Inspired by the Divine.
Arafura Artistic Director Claire Kilgarrif says connection and community inspired the cultural collaboration.
“Arafura Music Collective has a strong ethos of connecting our community into the unique cultural heritage of the NT. We are extremely fortunate to have here, in Darwin, international standard Indian classical musicians, and together with our First Nations musicians, this is a perfect opportunity to create a unique music performance which demonstrates our cultural richness,” she says.
“Arafura musicians have worked with musicians Kabita, Karan and Deepak in the past … this performance has created another opportunity for our two cultural traditions to be shared and new ideas developed.
“At the heart of all music traditions is the transformative power of music, and its ability to connect us with each other and inner self or soul. You might call it the Divine or Creative source, no matter your cultural tradition.”
The performance takes place in the beautiful setting of the Supreme Court, which is ideal in both a visual and acoustic context given the similarities it holds to spaces where this kind of music evolved, such as cathedrals and temples.
Immerse yourself in this beautiful musical collaboration, with some Western, some Indian, and some a fusion of three cultural traditions, in a beautiful space Kilgarrif says is sure to be an enlightening experience.
“Relax, connect with your music community, and hear a performance you are unlikely to hear anywhere else ... This is a chance to be surprised, delighted, challenged and connected. This performance will take you there.”
Creative Spark – Music Inspired by the Divine
WHEN SUN 17 JUL | 4.30PM
AT NT SUPREME COURT, DARWIN
COST $36 | $32 CONC | $10 YOUTH | FREE 5-12
INFO facebook.com/arafuramusiccollective
Thumbnail, header & inset: Photo: Paz Tassone
