The band 9 grader nord (9 degrees north) from Bergen creates music that is a fusion of Tamil and Indian rhythms, containing elements of guitar inspired by the youth’s upbringing in Norway. This is progressive, ethnic music from Norway.
From Bergen, Norway, this band, formed in 2017, draws inspiration from a wide array of musical styles, including Carnatic music, baila, and Tamil folk music.
The band comprises sisters Mira and Dipha Thiruchelvam, Jakob Sisselson Hamre, and Jakob Sønnesyn. In its 10 years, the band has garnered an immense following in Norway. Their inspiration ranges from Tyagaraja’s Pancharatna Krithis to AR Rahman, Linkin Park, AC/DC, and Green Day. Thanks to the internet, the band’s rhythms have now made their way to the ears of South Asian listeners, who have been showering immense praise on them.
If I were to summarize the style of the band, it contains energetic flute playing, big vocals, catchy drums, and lively engagement. For Mira and Dipha, the commitment is deeply personal. Their parents fled the civil war in Sri Lanka in the 1980s, igniting a lifelong dedication to preserving their Tamil identity.
‘9 degrees north’ are the coordinates for Jaffna, where the sisters’ parents hail from. Dipha and Mira grew up in Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway. They learned to play the flute from their father, who is passionate about the instrument.
“It has been a goal in itself to challenge Norwegians with foreign tones and add some more diversity to the music scene,” says Dipha Thiruchelvan, who, together with her sister, started a flute duo while still in middle school.
What sets the band apart is its spirited, rebellious, and self-assured stage presence, as 9 Grader Nord employs a diverse range of instruments, such as the bamboo flute and cajon, to craft a distinct and magnetic sound. Since their formation, the band has graced countless festivals, club stages, and television shows, tantalizing audiences with their electrifying performances.
“In high school, I developed a keen interest in composing music. I began producing music after receiving my first music software as a birthday gift,” says Mira, and adds, “The only thing missing was a band. I asked Jakob Sisselson Hamre (percussionist) if he would play with us. He agreed and brought along his friend Jakob Sønnesyn, who plays the bass guitar. Dipha was the last band member, naturally.”
The sisters admire Jakob and Jakob, two incredibly talented Norwegian musicians. “It’s not easy for two Norwegians to understand all these foreign, often complicated notes,” says Mira.
9 Grader Nord has ventured into exciting collaborations and projects. They have worked with the Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra, interpreting the works of renowned artist Edvard Munch, and embarked on school tours throughout Norway, engaging and inspiring young minds with their music.
In 2019, Mira Thiruchelvam, the band’s producer and composer, received a prestigious award in Norway for their first album, JAFFNA.
In recent years, the diaspora movement has gained more prominence in the West. This inspired the sisters to delve deeper into the more vulnerable themes, for instance, their upbringing. Therefore, the second album is named Yalpanam, the uncolonized Tamil name for Jaffna.
One of the sisters’ biggest dreams is to perform at venues where Tamils are in the majority.
Progressive, Ethnic Music from Norway, reported by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (top): © Mela.