In May 2003 I went to India for three months as part of a residency with Asialink. I was based in Chennai / Madras under the guidance of Guru Karaikudi R. Mani with Sruthi Laya Kendra. I was to be studying Karnatic (South Indian Classical) music with Karaikudi R. Mani (Mridangam artist) including several lessons with flautist B. Balasai, A. Durga Prasad - Gottuvadyam (Slide Veena) artist, and also a little time with violinist V.S. Narasimhan.

Edited by and with many thanks to David Lasocki
Originally published in American Recorder November 2002

I leave home at five in the morning. Even central Athens seems serene at this hour, and it's still cool, although the daytime in early June is already too hot to bear....

Contemporary modal music is a term which Racheal Cogan acquired from Ross Daly, while working with him in Greece (2000-2001). It describes contemporary music that is based in modal melodic structures, as opposed to the foundation of chord progression that underpins conventional Western music.

Contemporary modal music is a development from the classical musics of Persia, India, Turkey, and elsewhere, and from various folk traditions.