''Ziskakan'' in Delhi for two-day performance

New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) 'Ziskakan', a musical band from French Reunion Island, is back to rock the nation once again with their new instruments, including 'Creon', and revitalise Creole lyricism, in a two-day performance here starting today.

This is the band's third visit to India after they performed in Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Faridabad and Hardwar a few years back.

Organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and SPIC MACAY, IIT Chapter, Ziskakan will be performing in IIT, Delhi today. Tomorrow, they will perform at Tagore International School, Vashant Vihar and Miranda House, Delhi University.

In a press conference here yesterday, the lead voice artist of Ziskakan Gilbert Pounia said, ''I am happy to be here in India after a long span of seven years and i am sorry that I can't speak Indian language,''. Incidentally, Gilbert has a unique connection with India as his forefathers lived in the country.

Introducing other five band artists, Gernard Clara, Mishko M'Ba, Pascal Manglou, Jean Rassiga, Rouben Savariaye, Gilbert said their music and lyrics come from different parts of the world.

''Music is a wonderful weapon to create waves. We want to bring all societies together, make them unite and create a melting point of all cultures through our music and songs.'' Ziskakan, which relied on imagination at the end of the 90's now returns towards traditional accoustics with revitalised Creole lyrics and instruments like the Bass, Guitar, Tabla, Drum, Dholak, Percussions, Keys, Congas, Sitar and a special 'Creon'. Creon is an instrument when played sounds like sea waves. It is made of seeds of a special tree which is found in Reunion and also contains the reeves of sugarcane.

Reminiscing their days of struggle, Gilbert said things were now changing in Reunion as people were taking their music seriously. '' Earlier in the 60's we had to go into people's homes to make them listen... we were not even heard'', Gilbert said.

Talking about Indian influence in Reunion, Gilbert said various kinds of music created by people of different people can be found there. The country is influenced by Indian music.

''Ancient Indian words are very much used in Creole language for ritualistic practices in Reunion, which do not even exist in India.

''A subconcious influence of Indian folk music is flowing in Reunion these days, even we have incorporated some Indian folk tunes into our music. You will notice it when you listen to some of our pieces,'' Gilbert said.

About their plans to perform with Indian musicians, Gilbert said last year his band performed a concert with Indian Ocean in Reunion.

''I have attended concerts of maestros like Subramaniyam, Ravi Shankar, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, but never met them personally.

I would love to work with them.'' Overwhelmed by the response of the people here and excited about the concert at IIT today, Gilbert said he would continue his asscociation with good music and follow the meaning of what his band Ziskakan stands for, '' till when we have to endure''.

UNI