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The Rite of Strings
Classical Music of India From the 21st Century
Performers
This unique Indian Classical performance featuring a double neck guitar, tabla and kanjeera, bridges tradition and innovation creating a spellbinding tapestry of rhythm and melody.
The double-neck guitar, blending the versatility of modern string instruments with the evocative tones of Indian ragas, takes center stage. Its rich, resonant sound captures the nuances of classical compositions. Complementing this melodic brilliance is the tabla, whose intricate rhythms breathe life into every beat. With its dynamic range and precision, the tabla sets a pulsating foundation that elevates the musical experience. Adding a distinctive flavor to this trio is the kanjira, a small but powerful frame drum renowned for its versatility. Its sharp, expressive tones seamlessly blend with the other instruments, enriching the rhythmic dialogue with bursts of spontaneity and virtuosity.
Together, Anupam, Amit and Swami embark on a journey through soulful ragas, energetic talas, and spellbinding improvisations. This concert promises to captivate both connoisseurs of classical music and new listeners, celebrating the timeless beauty of Indian traditions through an innovative musical lens.
Performers
Anupam Shobhakar
As an artist deeply rooted in the Senia Maihar Gharana and based in New York City, Anupam Shobhakar has trained extensively under Shree Suresh Vyas, a senior disciple of the renowned Smt. Annapurna Devi, and Ustad Aashish Khan. Over the years, he has had the privilege of performing worldwide, gaining valuable experience and developing a diverse musical repertoire.
After years of performing the Sarod globally, Anupam embarked on a new musical journey: developing a comprehensive Indian Classical repertoire for the Fretless Guitar. This endeavor seeks to broaden the instrument’s capabilities, enabling it to capture the intricate nuances of Hindustani Classical Music. Drawing from his extensive Sarod training and techniques derived from traditional Indian instruments like the Sur Singaar, Sur Bahar, and Rudra Veena, as well as the vocal expressions of the Indian Sarangi, Anupam strives to elevate the fretless guitar to a respected place within the Indian classical tradition while maintaining a strong foundation in pedagogy.
Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra is an accomplished exponent of the Banaras Gharana of tabla. He began his tabla training under the guidance of his father, Pt. Kishor Kumar Mishra, at the age of 9. As he dedicated himself to mastering the instrument, he drew inspiration and blessings from his maternal grandfather, the late Tabla Samrat Padma Bhushan Pt. Samta Prasad Mishra. He later received advanced instruction from his Guru, the renowned late Pt. Sharda Sahai, a direct descendant of Pt. Ram Sahai, the founder of the Banaras Gharana.
Amit has accompanied some of India’s finest artists, including Vidushi Girija Devi, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Smt. Sitara Devi, Vidushi Sonal Mansingh, Pt. Ajay Pohankar, Pt. Channulal Mishra, and Smt. Sunaina Hazarilal, among others.
He has performed extensively across India and toured internationally in countries such as France, Japan, Belgium, the USA, Colombia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, Spain, the UK, Sri Lanka, Peru, Argentina, the Netherlands, Nepal, Hong Kong, and Romania for concerts, workshops, and collaborations with local musicians.
Swaminathan Selvaganesh
Swaminathan Selvaganesh is a celebrated percussionist from a renowned musical family. The grandson of Grammy winner T H Vikku Vinayakram and son of V Selvaganesh, he was trained from a young age in South Indian percussion. By 11, Swaminathan began performing, mastering instruments like the kanjira, ghatam, mridangam, and morsing. He became part of a historic three-generation performance with his father and grandfather and co-founded “Panchakshara by Vikku 3G,” a South Indian percussion ensemble that has performed globally.
Swaminathan has collaborated with legendary Indian musicians, including Pt. Jasraj, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Shankar Mahadevan, skillfully blending traditional and contemporary styles. In 2012, he expanded into world music, working with international artists like George Brooks, Pete Lockett, and Roman Diaz. During the 2020 pandemic, he launched “Play From Home,” an online series that led to over 50 global collaborations, gaining recognition from The New York Times.
He has performed at prestigious festivals worldwide, including Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival, the Stanford Jazz Festival, and the World Rhythm Festival. Swaminathan continues to innovate in percussion, building a unique musical language that bridges cultures and captivates audiences worldwide.
