The Orlando Consort - Mantra: Musical Conversations Across the Indian Ocean (2010)

On arriving in India in the early 16th century, Portuguese missionaries set out to win the hearts, minds, and souls of local people in Goa through the power of music. Eastern and western voices and instruments rang out together, creating an irresistible blend of exotic and exuberant sounds.

Acclaimed musicians unite to present the joyful spirit and sound-world of this extraordinary cross-cultural encounter. The journey starts with entrancing Renaissance polyphony and Indian classical ragas and continues via Bhangra and Bollywood before arriving at a lively Indian wedding party featuring massed voices drawn from schools and choirs from across Sheffield led by Kuljit Bhamra.

“What was striking was how Western orderliness was more and more subverted by Indian joyousness. By the end we were all clapping and waving our hands.” Ivan Hewett, Daily Telegraph