Music without borders Israeli singer and songwriter Idan Raichel hopes to promote peace and harmony through his tracks Sanaya Chavda In the city to perform for the second time, Israeli singer and songwriter Idan Raichel is known for his unique music — a melting pot fusing Ethiopian grooves, Russian melodies, Arabic rhythms, Indian chanting and much more. The musician who started working on his “project” when he was still in school, was enchanted by the way different cultures can mix together but still keep a unique sound and rhythm. “What’s most exciting for me, is to come to a show and look at the audience. They come from everywhere and in many cases they don’t know about Israel or the project. The lyrics are in many languages such as Swahili, Arabic, Amharic, Spanish, Portuguese and many more. This is the point of the project, that people from all over the world can connect to the songs without understanding the full meaning of the words,” says Idan, who performed in Rwanda, Ghana and Angola last week to a good crowd. Coming from a country with much political strife, he says, “I wish we could perform all over the Middle East — in Israel, Syria, Egypt and Gaza. I hope that day comes soon and maybe this would be a way to promote a message of peace and harmony. Music shouldn’t have any borders. All this sorrow in the Middle East is very difficult, and I hope it ends soon,” adds the singer who’s tracks are rather personal ones with a universal theme. Idan, was also asked earlier this year to compose music for a poem by the Israeli President Shimon Peres. “It was one of the greatest honours in my career. His lyrics were very special. The song is about a girl from the Ethiopian community that he met one day and how they feel in the Israeli society,” he says. Coming to India for the second time, the songwriter is excited and hopes to meet and exchange ideas with some local musicians. He’s a big fan of musician Nitin Sawhney, has also met Shweta Pandit in the past, and collaborated with Classicial singer Swati Natekar in the UK. “I also had a great time working with India Arie. It was an amazing experience to sing with her our song Gift Of Acceptance during the Nobel peace prize gala event... Currently, I am working on a new album, with more international artistes, going to new places this time,” ends Idan.

Music without borders

Israeli singer and songwriter Idan Raichel hopes to promote peace and harmony through his tracks

In the city to perform for the second time, Israeli singer and songwriter Idan Raichel is known for his unique music — a melting pot fusing Ethiopian grooves, Russian melodies, Arabic rhythms, Indian chanting and much more. The musician who started working on his “project” when he was still in school, was enchanted by the way different cultures can mix together but still keep a unique sound and rhythm. “What’s most exciting for me, is to come to a show and look at the audience. They come from everywhere and in many cases they don’t know about Israel or the project. The lyrics are in many languages such as Swahili, Arabic, Amharic, Spanish, Portuguese and many more. This is the point of the project, that people from all over the world can connect to the songs without understanding the full meaning of the words,” says Idan, who performed in Rwanda, Ghana and Angola last week to a good crowd. Coming from a country with much political strife, he says, “I wish we could perform all over the Middle East — in Israel, Syria, Egypt and Gaza. I hope that day comes soon and maybe this would be a way to promote a message of peace and harmony. Music shouldn’t have any borders. All this sorrow in the Middle East is very difficult, and I hope it ends soon,” adds the singer who’s tracks are rather personal ones with a universal theme. Idan, was also asked earlier this year to compose music for a poem by the Israeli President Shimon Peres. “It was one of the greatest honours in my career. His lyrics were very special. The song is about a girl from the Ethiopian community that he met one day and how they feel in the Israeli society,” he says. Coming to India for the second time, the songwriter is excited and hopes to meet and exchange ideas with some local musicians. He’s a big fan of musician Nitin Sawhney, has also met Shweta Pandit in the past, and collaborated with Classicial singer Swati Natekar in the UK. “I also had a great time working with India Arie. It was an amazing experience to sing with her our song Gift Of Acceptance during the Nobel peace prize gala event... Currently, I am working on a new album, with more international artistes, going to new places this time,” ends Idan.