Stephen Devassy set to strike a chord of unity with Ekta

Ace musician and composer Stephen Devassy is gearing up for the release of his most ambitious project till date- Ekta, a Sanskrit-rooted global musical production. Slated for release in February or March next year, Ekta is the outcome of over four years of painstaking work and collaboration with more than 200 artistes from across the world.

Ekta, meaning “oneness,” encapsulates the spirit of the project-unity through music, says Mr. Devassy, who has performed in over 60 countries and done more than 2,000 shows. He says Ekta will be a unique experience with a blend of ancient Indian wisdom with contemporary global sounds.

Ensuring a rich mix of different genres and languages, including Spanish, African and English, this album production tries to highlight the flexibility and modern-day significance of Sanskrit in music, he explains. “I have worked a lot in Sanskrit-over ten albums mostly featuring Sanskrit chants. This language holds more than 5,000 years of legacy and immense depth. It is not archaic- it still has a reflective effect on us,” says Mr. Devassy.

Creative meetings

“The project became a reality after over 100 creative meetings with musicians and has contributions from a long list of national and international performers, including legendary Indian percussionist Sivamani, Chenda artistes, and three eminent American performers whose identities cannot be revealed now,” says Mr. Devassy.

“Every time we experiment or explore something new. But fusion music has given me the biggest satisfaction,” he says, recalling collaborations with musical legends like Zakir Hussain, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, L. Subramaniam, Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Karaikudi Mani, U. Srinivas and Rajhesh Vaidhya. 

Name change

Mr. Devassy’s own musical journey-ranging from Carnatic music and Kathakali traditions to Western fusion-have been skilfully woven into Ekta. While the title Ekta captures the project’s core, Mr. Devassy still hints at the possibility of a name change as the release approaches. “Many have already used this title for their works. Oneness is our message. The name should reflect that in the best creative way.”

Speaking on the role of technology in modern music, he offers a balanced vision. He sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a partner, not a threat. “When used appropriately, it can create magic and elevate human creativity in music,” he believes. “AI will go to new heights-but the lovely twist, the nuance, the emotion, that is all human. That is where the magic lies.”

Along with AI, social media, in his view, plays a crucial role in the modern artistes’ journey. “It gives us space to grow and be seen. I was part of reality shows in the past- that is where I truly began to understand music’s potential. I also love youngsters improvising my music with their creativity.”

Music fetes

Mr. Devassy is always in favour of music festivals and exchange programmes. “In my opinion, music exchanges are vital. They allow us to share our musical legacy. Similarly, there should be an option in all schools to nurture musical skills from a tender age,” he says and adds that he is still curious to try the latest portamento features in instrumental music and strumming on I-Pads.  

He credits those platforms for helping him reach a wider audience, noting that his early musical world revolved around school ‘ganamelas’ (music shows) and temple festivals. “Back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, it was TV shows that opened my eyes and the inspiration of my father. That is when I first heard about Mozart’s harmony in music. Listening to Boney M and The Carpenters introduced me to a whole new world. It was life-changing,” he recalls.