BY PURVI RADIA | NT NETWORK
Listening to Hans Vermeersch solo violin recital of songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore was like listening to the music of rainfall. Down in Goa, to perform at the Monte Music festival, Hans Vermeersch from Belgium says of his performance, “At the festival, I played whatever came to mind.” It was an extempore treat of sheer elegance and grandeur.

Hans will also be part of performances to be held in England, France and Singapore, being held to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the Bard of India, Rabindranath Tagore.
Language is not a barrier for Hans, who has interpreted song of varied languages – Tagore, Ghulam Ali, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Ramayana, etc. He puts it this way, “It is possible to do so by understanding the feelings behind the theme without falling into the trap of the lyrics.”
Hans has many interesting experiences to share. Once at a performance in Pakistan, in the short time that he had, he translated a ghazal of the acclaimed singer, Ghulam Ali after listening to the song sung by the Pakistani legend. To his pleasant surprise, Ghulam Ali was present among the audience for the concert. That day, everybody was in praise of him and his music.
At the Monte festival, Hans’s music relayed the myriad colours of emotions, which lingered on till the last note was played. His rendition of Indian music had an exquisite classic appeal, with a particularly striking interpretation of Ravana’s mood while he listens to the words of his wise courtiers advising him to return Sita to Ram. The music beautifully conjured Ravana’s brooding.
A violin and viola teacher at the Academy for Arts, Knokke-heist, Belgium, Hans says Indian music fascinates him. Hans opines, “Hindustani music is quite similar in many aspects to the Baroque music of the period between 1600 and 1750. Having knowledge of Baroque music, I was confident enough to play Indian music.”
Hans also conducts the Rajhans Orchestra, which he has formed. The orchestra, which comprises of European and sub-continental classical musicians, merges the music of the two different cultures.
Rare south Indian instruments like the mridangam, ghatam, kanjeera, veenu and the Carnatic violin form a part of the orchestra. “These instruments are especially used during the depiction of the famous Hindu epic Ramayana,” says Hans.
“The Ramayana to me is symbolic and represents bravery. It is a thought provoking epic. I have exemplified a few of the chapters of the epic in my music. It was well received when we performed it at the United States,” recalls Hans.
Hans further says, “If anyone approaches me to score music for any rare instruments, I am perfectly willing.”
Hans dislikes the concept of fusion. “Music loses its real essence when you make a fusion. It is loss of money and time, and you cannot play it again as it is not possible to document it,” says Hans with a smile.