BANGALORE:

British rock star Sting said on February 3 that religion and music were strongly interlinked and vowed to pursue his musical quest even if it means leaving his fans confused or alienated.

“I regard music and religion as being very linked. Both are endless pursuits. My journey is to discover as much about music as I can,” Sting said ahead of his concert in the southern city of Bangalore on Friday. “Up to the present time my journey has largely coincided with popular taste. People around the world buy, understand and respond to my music. However, there may be a time when that interest may leave them behind, confused or alienated and that should not come as a shock or a surprise,” he said.

“But I still will pursue my music. You believe me I will. I am happy to be a popular artiste. My real concern is to find more out. I am still a student of music and I will be in the future,” said the 54-year-old musician. Gordon ‘Sting’ Sumner, who performs for tsunami relief on February 4 at Bangalore and February 6 in New Delhi, said he would not want a reunion with his former colleagues from the popular 1980s band Police.

“I like to approach music as a continuum... So, I am not going to back to a band I used to be in. I do not want to step into the same river two times. Life has to move on really,” he said. He said that he did not know much about Indian music but could appreciate it. “I am aware of its rythmic complexity and its very long history. I do love it,” Sting said. DNA Networks, which is staging the shows, says part of the funds will go to assist tsunami victims in India where more than 16,000 people died in the December 26 tragedy. — AFP