What’s out there 9 degrees north?

“9 Grader Nord” (meaning 9 degrees north in Norwegian) was founded by flute-duo sisters Mira and Dipha Thiruchelvam, who were later joined by Jakob Sønnesyn on bass and Jakob Sisselson Hamre on cajón. Although their music offers a mixture of baila, flamenco, Carnatic, Bollywood and jazz, it would be simplistic to categorise this music under the genre “world music”. The band’s sound can be better characterised as energetic, mysterious and rhythmical, with a vision of challenging the local musical palate by fusing flavours from abroad. Kulasegaram Sanchayan talks to Mira and Dipha about their background and the music they create.

Dipha and Mira Thiruchelvam Source: Supplied