Thu Feb 20 04:28:27 UTC 2025: ## International Sitar Collective Debuts in Thiruvananthapuram

**Thiruvananthapuram, February 20, 2025** – A unique ensemble of sitar players from across the globe, known as String Theory, made its debut performance at the Goethe-Zentrum Trivandrum in Thiruvananthapuram on February 13th. The Berlin-based collective, comprised of musicians from Germany, South Africa, South Korea, India, and Russia, captivated the audience with a diverse repertoire of ragas.

The group, spearheaded by Berlin-based sitarist Sebastian Dryer, features musicians whose paths to the instrument are as varied as their origins. Many were initially drawn to the sitar through the influence of The Beatles and the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. Others, like Anurag Sharma, an Indian IT professional, discovered the instrument as a means of improving concentration. Their shared passion for the sitar, however, led them to form String Theory, a collective aimed at fostering a new appreciation for this classical art form.

The concert showcased a blend of traditional Indian ragas, performed with a distinctly international flair. Accompanied by renowned Indian tabla player Retnasree Iyer, the performance highlighted both the technical proficiency and the emotional depth of the musicians.

Dryer, a faculty member at the Fanny Hense Music School in Berlin, explained the unique genesis of the group, highlighting the lack of orchestral settings for sitar players compared to Western instruments. He also noted the differences between European and Indian classical music, emphasizing the significance of spaces between notes in Indian music.

While the performance was a resounding success, Dryer acknowledged challenges facing the promotion of Indian classical music in Europe. He cited a decline in the number of Indian artists touring Germany in recent years, attributing this to various factors including lower remuneration and a changing perception of “exotic” art forms. Despite these challenges, Dryer expressed optimism for String Theory’s future, hoping it will attract new audiences and inspire others to learn the sitar.

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