By Vivienne Pearson
Billi’s Indian, already offering authentic Indian dishes, stepped it up a notch recently with an evening of live Indian classical and folk music.
Dubbed ‘Sounds of India’, the music was bansuri and tabla, a delightful combination. A bansuri is a flute made from bamboo. Unlike a western metal flute, it has only open finger holes, meaning that many features of the music are created by the player’s technique. ‘The notes can be bent,’ says Vinod Prasanna, an award-winning bansuri player who is part of one of India’s greatest flute-playing families.
The tabla, a small pair of drums that are played while seated, are played by Rodney Wright, an Ocean Shores local. Though not Indian, Rod learned tabla – not an easy feat, given the intricacies of the traditional rhythms (known as ‘taals’) – during extensive time spent in India.
The result is a calming and uplifting sound, suited to either listening to fully, or as background music while chatting with friends.
‘This is the sort of music you want when you’re eating,’ says one diner, Michelle Siwicki, who stumbled upon the music evening after giving up on plans for a pub meal because of the loud band playing there.
Michelle and husband Russell were lucky to get a table as the restaurant was full. Diners I spoke to fell into two groups – those, like Michelle, who had not realised that live music was on offer but were very pleased to have discovered it. ‘We were going to be here anyway and the music is a total bonus,’ says John McLachlan from Brisbane, one of a large table enjoying the music as part of a joint 70th birthday celebration for old university friends.
Others saw the music event advertised and went along specially. ‘We eat here often but when we saw the music advertised we immediately called to book,’ says Mia Borodacz, from New Brighton.
Another recent live entertainment evening provided a different aspect of Indian culture, courtesy of the Bollywood Sisters, who shared their ‘dancing is happiness’ motto with diners!
Even without live music, the food is always good at Billi’s. Of particular note from my meal was the entrée dish of Tandoori Prawn, with quality prawns beautifully flavoured and perfect with the accompanying mint yogurt. Next time, I’ll try Vinod’s highly recommended favourite: Palak Paneer.
The entertainment events are not one-offs, with plans underway for the Bollywood Sisters and Vinod and Rod to perform again. Keep an eye on Billi’s Facebook page for updates.
Information: Billi’s Indian, 8 Wilfred St, Billinudgel. Tues–Sun from 5pm, dine in or takeaway. 6680 3352, billisindian.com.au, Facebook: @billisindianrestaurant
Rodney on tabla and Vinod on bansuri flute. Photo Vivienne Pearson.
