Jayanthi Kumaresh

Mysterious Duality Just Me (EarthSync, 2010)

Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh’s Mysterious Duality, out on the EarthSync label, is one giant leap into the ethereal wonders of India’s Carnatic classical music tradition and the sublime graces of the veena. Re-imagining the possibilities and reinterpreting the musical mathematics of the tala and the grammar of the raga, Dr. Kumaresh discovers a symphonic sound on Mysterious Duality by layering the veena to create a rich journey that will delight both Indian music and EarthSync fans.

Dr. Kumaresh lures in the listener from the opening track of Mysterious Duality, not only with her exceptional mastery, but her unique vision of the musical range of the veena. Performing her own compositions, as well as those by Abhishek Raghuram and R. Kumaresh, Mysterious Duality blooms exotic with layered veena tracks that stretch off into space.

Consisting of four extended tracks, “Mysterious Duality,” “Strings With No Ends,” “Wandering in Dimensions” and “Waiting At Dusk,” this recording discovers an “other space” within intricate symphonic compositions with decidedly Indian Carnatic influences, but grasp at a larger sound that is both sophisticated and brilliant in scope.

Opening with the title track “Mysterious Duality,” the music possesses a deceptive simplicity that captures the imagination with its open, free space sound. “Strings With No Ends” flows like a lazy river, drugging the listener with layered waves of the beauty of the veena.

“Wandering In Dimensions” delves deeper into a darker space with edgy, twangy turns of the veena and plucked background that adds a mysterious depth to the track. “Waiting at Dusk” overtakes the listener with sheer mastery. The layered veena lines of this extraordinary composition goes beyond what one would thought possible of the instrument.

Dr. Kumaresh takes what most know of the veena and has thrown it out the window with a gleeful relish on Mysterious Duality. The result is freshly original and immensely vibrant. Mysterious Duality is a journey that shouldn’t be missed.