This March, the Seattle Theatre Group will showcase a variety of musical genres at its 24th annual More Music @ the Moore event, featuring young talent from different cultural backgrounds. Among the performers are Mongolian musicians Temuulen and Temuujin Batbaatar, as well as Indian classical violinist Amrutha Achalla.
The Batbaatar twins, Temuulen and Temuujin, are part of Zje Mongol, a musical project that blends traditional Mongolian instruments and throat-singing, or Khuumii. The duo, like their sister Anu-Ujin Batbaatar—who performed in the 22nd Annual More Music—play the Morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), Tovshuur (a two- or three-stringed lute), and the Tsuur (a type of end-blown flute). “As soon as we turned 14, we knew we would audition for More Music, just like our sister,” the twins shared.
At the event, Zje Mongol will perform their original composition titled “Eagles,” which reflects the deep significance of eagles in Mongolian culture. “Eagles hold great importance in our traditions, and we wanted to share this through our music. Some people may be familiar with the documentary The Eagle Huntress,” the twins explained.
Through their performance, the Batbaatar twins aim to promote Mongolian music and encourage young people to explore their cultural heritage. “We not only advocate for Mongolian music, but we also encourage the younger generation to learn about their culture and traditional music,” they said.
As they prepare for the event, Temuulen and Temuujin are excited to meet the other talented musicians involved in More Music @ the Moore. “The other artists are amazing musicians,” they said. “We’re eager to connect with them and can’t wait for the show on March 21.”
For young violinist Amrutha Varshini Achalla, performing at The Moore Theatre is a dream come true. “I’ve seen many legendary musicians perform there, and now the thought of being on that stage is both mind-blowing and incredible,” she said. “Once I saw the ad on Instagram, I was all in. It’s a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with artists from such diverse backgrounds.”
Achalla, whose violin playing is rooted in the Carnatic tradition of South Indian classical music, is known for her intricate rhythms, improvisation, and emotional depth. “I’ve been fortunate to learn from Grammy Award-winning violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, whose fusion of tradition and innovation is something I deeply admire,” Achalla said. “Through my music, I love exploring ways to bring Carnatic elements into new spaces and connect with different audiences.”
Achalla will perform a piece titled Bahudari Thillana, a lively, up-tempo composition by her guru Ganesh Rajagopalan. “It’s a high-energy piece, and I’m also collaborating with and supporting many of the other artists in the show. The rehearsals have been so enlightening and fun,” she explained.
Throughout the rehearsal process, Achalla has found a strong sense of camaraderie among the other musicians. “Everyone is on the same musical wavelength, and it feels like I’ve known these wonderful people for years,” she shared.
Above all, Achalla is excited to see the creative process come to life on stage. “I’m looking forward to seeing our hard work and dedication come together in the performance,” she said. “It’ll be so rewarding to see the audience appreciate the art we’ve created together.”
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