Crossing Borders

Through the practice and performance of music that is deeply rooted in Indian culture, NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble provides an open and inclusive platform to stage cultural dialogues with a diverse range of musical genres from across the world. Since its founding in 1987, IIE has explored various themes that form the basis of Indian music, ranging from the evolution of music in the Indian subcontinent to topics such as religion, ideology and socio-political issues in the South Asian region. It is made up of six sections: percussion, plucked strings, violin, keys, winds, and vocals. The club has also welcomed non-Indian instruments such as the Chinese guzheng and Vietnamese dan bau. IIE continues to champion traditional art within today's cosmopolitan global landscape, by grounding itself in the rudiments of Indian classical music while innovating and experimenting. Currently led by artistic director Nawaz Mirajkar, NUS IIE has staged many successful performances over the years, such as Varnajaalam in 2021, Bodhi in 2022 as well as Inter/Change and Swar Pravaaham in 2023. IIE was also recently awarded the Best Original Work of the Year at the Tan Ean Kim Arts Awards for Sangamam, an original composition that premiered at the 2022 NUS Arts Festival. The ensemble has also performed at significant music festivals such as Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2023 by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. IIE aspires to keep the torch of Indian classical music burning brightly for many years to come and cultivate its growth and flourishing in Singapore.