Marium Jamal

"Lehr", derived from the Urdu word for wave, serves as both title and conceptual framework for this work. The term represents notions of continuity, resonance, and transformation, mirroring the way Hindustani music has flowed through centuries of practice and adaptation. Here, Lehr symbolises not only the sonic fluidity inherent in music but also the shifting nature of cultural traditions as they encounter new technological and artistic contexts.

Lehr is an audio-visual artwork that explores the intersection of classical music and contemporary digital technologies. At its centre is an interactive violin, an instrument that reflects my artistic practice and symbolises the hybridity between classical and modern forms, bridging both Hindustani and Western musical traditions.

Through this instrument, the project constructs a dynamic visual narrative that traces the evolving journey of Hindustani classical music, examining how its rich traditions have been transformed and reinterpreted over time in response to the influences of global modernity and digital culture.

The artwork invites audiences to engage directly with the work by playing the violin, plucking its strings, tapping its body, or using a bow to create sound in their own way. In doing so, listeners become participants who actively shape the flow of sound and imagery through their interactions.

Ultimately, Lehr becomes a living performance, an exploration of how heritage, technology, reinvention, and participation converge to reimagine musical expression in the present day.