Hailing from southern India, Purnaprajna Bangere began vocal studies at 7, and rigorous lessons on violin at 13 in the Parur style, characterized by high technical virtuosity and musicianship. Training under Vidwan H.K. Narasimhamurthy, he was deeply influenced by Indian classical music, Western classical music, and American blues, jazz and folk music. Now a Professor of Mathematics and Music at the University of Kansas, Purna combines the two disciplines into Metaraga, a systematic musical framework deeply inspired by ideas and concepts in Algebraic Geometry introduced by Alexander Grothendieck. The journey may start from any of the known genres, traverse into other musical worlds, and ultimately arrive in a "no man's land" - music with no east or west, which is also reflected in the ensemble name: Purna, meaning 'complete,' and Loka, Sanskrit for 'world.' Joining Purna on the journey is multi-Grammy winning violinist from the Turtle Island String Quartet, David Balakrishnan, bassist Jeff Harshbarger, and Amit Kavthekar on tabla.
"In Purna's exotic and highly original improvisations one hears not only the sounds of genuine Indian classical, but also the roots of jazz and contemporary western classical...amazingly shocking and shockingly amazing virtuosity." - Gregory Sandomirsky, Kansas City Symphony
