Monsoon

Monsoon

Monsoon [was inspired by] the subject matter of a film by David Wallace and Alexander Frater, based on the progress of the monsoon from the southernmost tip of India to Cherrapunji – the wettest place in the world. It combines the musical language of both East and West by both electronic and instrumental means. The narration is divided into five sections, which are:

  • Summer Heat
  • Dust Storm
  • Monsoon
  • Joy of Rain
  • Love Songs

The text is based on the thoughts of Khushwant Singh, adapted and extended by myself and Vayu Naidu [the first narrator]. They invoke the mood of the monsoon and culminate in ancient love poetry associated with the sensuous season of monsoon. The piece makes constant reference to the North Indian monsoon raga ‘Desh’ which has become distilled out of Indian folk music. This work is dedicated to David Wallace.

© 1992 Tim Souster