When cultures come together, the result is often extraordinary – and that’s the beauty behind Ektaal, the University of Virginia’s only South Asian fusion a cappella group.
Since its founding in 1999, the group has been harmonizing traditional South Asian melodies with Western lyrics. The combination creates a captivating sound, honors South Asian culture and serves as a bridge for sharing the traditions with the UVA community.
One of UVA’s 13 a cappella groups, Ektaal stands out for its cultural fusion.
“Our mission is to continue to nurture South Asian musical history and culture while sharing it with the world,” Nikita Madumjar, the group’s public relations manager, said. She oversees the group’s social media accounts, keeps its website updated and organizes concerts, including advertising and selling tickets.
For Majumdar, a second-year student, Ektaal has become integral to her life in just three semesters. It’s where she found her best friends, discovered the thrill of performing and engaged with her South Asian culture.
“The second I walked into my audition, I knew that Ektaal would be a healthy environment for me,” said Majumdar, who is majoring in psychology and American studies.
Majumdar often found herself singing while growing up in Ashburn, whether by herself or in traditional Hindu musical prayer sessions called bhajans. Her grandfather enjoyed singing Hindustani classical melodies and encouraged the entire family to join in. These moments left a lasting impact on Majumdar.
“Music has always been a uniting force for my family,” she said,
South Asia is the backdrop of thousands of distinct cultures, each with its own traditions. That makes it a challenge to represent them all in Ektaal’s musical arrangements. The group tries to incorporate elements from various styles, including Carnatic music from South India, Hindustani classical music from Northern India and Bollywood music from the center of India’s Hindi-language film industry in Mumbai.