Gurrumul and didgeridoo virtuoso Mark Atkins performed alongside Indian sitarist Anoushka Shankar at an Australian cultural festival in India last week launched by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The festival opening concert was held in front of Delhi’s Sher Mandal Observatory of Purana Qila which became a moving canvas of 3D light projections as images of the Australian landscape, Aboriginal art and Indian iconography, designed by the producers of Sydney's Vivid Light Festival transformed the historic Indian monument.

Michael Hohnen who travelled and performed with Gurrumul was amazed at his response to his first trip to the sub-continent. “He loves India, we have never known him to be so excited about another country. He insisted on wearing full Indian dress for his performance and he joined me in a traditional 'Namaste" greeting at the beginning and end of the show. He has now spoken to us about travelling back to record in this environment that he felt was very similar to his home of Galiwin'ku in Northern Australia, and asked about recording new material in India in the future. Gurrumul loves the shehnai, an instrument full of traditional character and expression that was highlighted in Anoushka's band during our concert."

While it was a first-time experience for Gurrumul, he had heard many stories about India as his aunty travelled there from Elcho Island many years ago, returning with a fascination and love of Bollywood dance and culture that Gurrumul’s family still enjoy today.

For a detailed story of the India journey and beautiful photos, go to  Simon de Trey-White’s blog “A Delhi Photographer’s Blog”
http://simondetreywhite.com/wordpress/?p=415