Festival of Indian Music 2023

Indo-American Arts Council

Presents

Festival of Indian Music

August 11 -13, 2023

Festival of Indian Music 2023
Festival of Indian Music 2023

Schedule

Friday | August 11 2023 | 5:30 pm

Celebrate the musical legacy of Late Padma Shri Pt. Vijay Kichlu

Saturday | August 12 2023 | 6 pm
(doors open at 5.30 pm)

Folk singer Padma Shri Malini Awasthi in concert
Accompanied by: Anubrata Chatterjee - Tabla, Monty Lalani - Dholak, Brij Joshi - Keyboard, Mayank Patel - Octopad, Rohan Prabhudesai - Harmonium

Sunday | August 13 2023 | 6 pm
(doors open at 5.30 pm)

Sarod Grand Master Padma Vibhushan Amjad Ali Khan, Sarod Virtuosos Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash with Zohaan Ali Bangash and Abeer Ali Bangash
Accompanied by: Anubrata Chatterjee - Tabla, Amit Kavthekar - Tabla

Indo-American Arts Council

Presents

Celebrate the musical legacy of Late Padma Shri Pt. Vijay Kichlu
With snippets from the film Raga Revelry

Friday | August 11 2023 | 5:30 pm

The Consulate of India in New York, 3 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065

RSVP

Festival of Indian Music 2023

Late Padma Shri Pt. Vijay Kichlu

Vijay Kichlu was an Indian classical singer. He studied Dhrupad with the Dagar Brothers and Khayal with Latafat Hussain Khan, whose style had a strong connection with Dhrupad. He and his brother, Ravi Kichlu, formed a famous classical vocalist duo. Kichlu was the founder and head of the ITC Music Academy for 25 years until he decided to retire due to change in management at the ITC headquarters. Kichlu founded Sangeet Research Academy for patronising and nurturing upcoming talents in Indian classical music. In 2018, he was bestowed with the civilian award Padma Shri by Government of India.

RAGA REVELRY is a fun introduction to the centuries-old tradition of North Indian classical music, often referred to as Raga music. For thousands of years, musicians have dedicated their lives to preserving this unwritten heritage that evokes a vivid range of emotions and moods and invites the listener to go beyond a limited perspective of self-awareness.

Performer and musicologist Vijay Kichlu’s journey to create a permanent sanctuary for this valuable inheritance, transplants the viewer to the center of Indian spirituality and culture. Heart-felt performances and interviews from legendary musicians along with the joyful camaraderie between the artists, unfolds the Rasa, the essence or soul of this music.

Woven into the narrative are fundamental music appreciation concepts of melody (raga) and rhythm (tala) with demonstrations by maestros. The film traces the evolution of this ancient sound, intended to praise the numinous from the origin, and is an invitation to deepen the connection to our spiritual selves.

The educational quality of the film is recommended by India’s premier national arts academy, the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Vijay Kichlu is a recipient of this Academy’s Ratna award, a rare and prestigious cultural honor bestowed on only 40 individuals at a time, as well as the Padma Shri civilian honor from the Republic of India.

RAGA REVELRY

The movie can be streamed and downloaded from Vimeo On Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ragarevelry
promo code 20% off : IAAC

 

Indo-American Arts Council

Present

Festival of Indian Music

Queen of Folk: Malini Awasthi

Saturday | August 12 2023 | 6 pm
(doors open at 5.30 pm)

Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023

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Festival of Indian Music 2023

Folk singer Padma Shri Malini Awasthi

Padma Shri Malini Awasthi is an Indian folk singer. She sings in Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Hindi, She also presents Thumri and Kajri. The Government of India awarded her the civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2016. She is known for her contribution in Bhojpuri music.

Malini Awasthi is a regular performer at popular classical music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau. She has a high pitch voice and is popular for vendition of thumari,Thaare Raho Baanke Shyam. She participated on to Imagine's junoon. She has appointed as the brand ambassador by Election Commision for U.P elections 2012 and 2014. She sang the song "Sunder Susheel" in the 2015 film Dum Lage ke Haisha which had music by Anu Malik.

Accompanied by:
Anubrata Chatterjee - Tabla
Monty Lalani - Dholak
Brij Joshi - Keyboard
Mayank Patel - Octopad
Rohan Prabhudesai - Harmonium

Indo-American Arts Council

Present

Festival of Indian Music

Three Generations In Concert

Sunday | August 13 2023 | 6 pm
(doors open at 5.30 pm)

Symphony Space Level, 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

BUY TICKETS

Festival of Indian Music 2023

Purbayan Chatterjee

Three Generation Sarod Quintet Keeping India’s ethos of traditions and legacies alive, Three Generation Quintet represents the 6th, 7th and 8th generation of musicians coming together on stage and performing together. The concert will feature Sarod Grand Master Amjad Ali Khan and his virtuoso sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash on Sarods. They will be joined by Ayaan’s 10 year old Twins Zohaan Ali Bangash and Abeer Ali Bangash. The family recently completed a five city tour in India.

Folk singer Padma Shri Malini Awasthi

Amjad Ali Khan is one of the undisputed masters of the music world. Born to sarod maestro Haafiz Ali Khan, he gave his first performance at the age of six, and is credited with reinventing the technique of playing the sarod. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning more than six decades, Amjad Ali Khan has won numerous accolades including the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum, Unicef's National Ambassadorship and the Fukuoka Cultural grand prize. Ancient Sounds, a joint-venture of Amjad Ali Khan with Iraqi oud virtuoso Rahim Alhaj nominated for a Grammy award in the best traditional world music album category in 2009. He has performed at venues the world over including Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, as well as at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize Concert in 2014 in Oslo, Norway.

Samaagam, his first Sarod Concerto, has been performed by the Britten Sinfonia, Orchestre National d'lle de France, Orchestre d'Auvergne, London Philharmonia, Gulbenkian Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Amjad Ali Khan has also been a visiting professor at Stanford University, University of New Mexico and Jacob’s School of Music. Amjad Ali Khan recently received coveted Global Music Awards under the Gold Medal category for their outstanding contribution to the global music industry and excellence in the classical music sphere. The UN Day Concert 2018 featured Sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan, accompanied by his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, and the Refugee Orchestra Project. The concert dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi was themed on “Traditions of Peace and Non-violence” in the presence of António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.

In 2020, STRINGS FOR PEACE: Premieres for Guitar & Sarod released on Zoho Music. Steeped in the tradition Indian classical music with Sarod master Amjad Ali Khan, his virtuoso sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, and guitarist Sharon Isbin. The recording debuted at number 3 on the Amazon Hot New Releases/World Music bestseller list and rose to number 2 in its first week. Amjad Ali Khan recently Joined Gwen Stefani, Jon Bon Jovi for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and multi-GRAMMY Award winning musician Joe Walsh’s Vetsaid Charity Concert on 4th December 2020. Amjad Ali Khan with Joe Walsh have come together with a 3 song EP named ‘Prayers’ as a tribute to doctors, frontline workers and for everyone who is going through these trying times. It's a wonderful project where the East meets West with an idea to bring the spirit of sharing the great unique treasures of their own artistic traditions, as well as finding common ground at both the cellular and cosmic levels of two musical traditions, which are often held to be radically different.

Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash

Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash
Cultural and musical traditions gives life and purpose to the work they bring to the stage. By asking audiences to listen from the heart, Sarod virtuosos Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash breakthrough the troublesome polarities of continuity and change, tradition and innovation. In their sound we encounter technical assuredness bolstered by elegant lyricism and joy-filled dynamism.

It is music forged from a unique artistic vision that rests upon a legacy seven generations deep and includes their revered father and grandfather, Amjad Ali Khan and Haafiz Ali Khan. Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash represent the 7th generation of a musical lineage, as sons and disciples of the sarod icon, Amjad Ali Khan. They have performed across the globe, including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and Royal Albert Hall.

They have also collaborated with guitarist Derek Trucks, of the Allman Brothers Band, Guitarist Sharon Isbin, Chicago Philharmonic orchestra, Avignon symphony orchestra among others, and established themselves as a duo, carrying forward their musical legacy in sync with both tradition and contemporary times. They performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2014 in Oslo and recently won the Gold Medal at the Global Music Awards in LA for their new album Peace Worshippers. More recently, the performed their father’s Concerto Samaagam with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with Conductor Xian Zhang, Moscow State Philharmonic Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Bronx Arts Ensemble. The UNDay Concert 2018 featured Sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash and the Refugee Orchestra Project conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya, Conductor themed on “Traditions of Peace and Non-violence” in the presence of António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.

In 2020, STRINGS FOR PEACE: Premieres for Guitar & Sarod released on Zoho Music. Steeped in the tradition Indian classical music with Sarod master Amjad Ali Khan, his virtuoso sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, and guitarist Sharon Isbin.  The recording debuted at number 3 on the Amazon Hot New Releases/World Music bestseller list and rose to number 2 in its first week. Amaan Ali Bangash & Ayaan Ali Bangash joined Gwen Stefani, Jon Bon Jovi for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and multi-GRAMMY Award winning musician Joe Walsh’s Vetsaid Charity Concert in December 2020. Amaan and Ayaan joined together father Amjad Ali Khan with Joe Walsh for a 3 song EP named ‘Prayers’ as a tribute to doctors, frontline workers and for everyone who is going through these trying times. They are joined by several iconic Los Angeles-based musicians; drummers Stewart Copeland (of the Police) and Jim Keltner, bassists Nathan East, Leland Sklar and Abe Laboriel Sr., keyboardist Ed Roth, guitarists Davey Johnstone (Elton John’s longtime lead guitarist) and multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale. Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash have been announced as Associate Artists at Wigmore Hall, in advance of the Hall’s 120th anniversary celebrations. They join fellow new Associate Artists such as Lawrence Power, Nitin Sawhney and Gweneth Ann Rand, and are committed to a five-year relationship with the Hall, performing at least once every season. Sarod-playing family are partnering this year with the brilliant, multiple Grammy nominee, Chinese pipa soloist Wu Man. This cross-cultural project supports the AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islander) movement, raising awareness to the discrimination, victimisation, violence and racism this group has been subjected to in America. Amaan and Ayaan made tier debut at Royal Albert Hall in August 2022 at BBC Proms.

Accompanied by:

Anubrata Chatterjee

Anubrata Chatterjee - Tabla
Son of the world-renowned tabla maestro, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Anubrata Chatterjee was nurtured from a very tender age to be a tabla player. He had the rare fortune of being the youngest and the last "Ganda-Bandh" disciple of the great guru, Padmabhushan - Gyan Prakash Ghosh. Subsequently, Anubrata continued his training under the gifted tutelage of his father focusing on Farukhabad Gharana along with Lucknow styles.

He made his debut as an accompanying artist with the legendary Pt.Hari Prasad Chaurasia and since then, has gone on to successfully accompany living legends of Indian Classical Music such as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pt.Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia , and other respected musicians all over the world.

Anubrata has proved himself both as a soloist and as an accompanist, by his consummate tabla renditions. He has also given numerous memorable duet performances along with his father. Taking the ‘parampara’ forward, he has built upon his father’s style and expanded his own repertoire to display an amalgamation of power, grace, skill, and superb tonal clarity.

Amit Kavthekar
Amit Kavthekar - Tabla
Young and talented Amit Kavthekar (“GANDA-BANDH SHAGIRD” of Late Ustad Allarakha) has rhythm running in his veins. At the early age of six, he was being groomed in the art of playing tabla by the legendary Ustad Allarakha. He has also been fortunate enough to be taught tabla intricacies by Ustad Zakir Hussain - a maestro in Indian classical music an international phenomenon in the fields of percussion and world music.

Amit has played with many eminent Indian Classical Musicians such as Ustad Zakir Hussain and Sivamani on Zee TV in India, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at Google Talks, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan at Berklee College of Music, Ustad Ashish Khan at Learnquest Festival at Regis College MA, Pt. Buddhadev Dasgupta in Baithak, Boston MA, Pt. Kushal Das at MIT, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma in his Documentary directed by Jabbar Patel in India, Pt. Jasraj in his vocal recital in Pune India and many others. Recently, Amit played at the United Nations Day Concert 2018 with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan Ali Bangash and Amaan Ali Bangash as well as with the Refugee Orchestra project.

Amit is currently teaching Tabla in the New England School of Music based in Massachusetts. He is also teaches master classes and workshops in universities.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:

Suman Gollamudi
suman.gn@iaac.us

THE INDO-AMERICAN ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES DATES FOR THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF INDIAN MUSIC

New York, June 26, 2023 - The much-anticipated IAAC Festival of Indian Music is back for its second year, promising three incredible days filled with mesmerizing melodies, soulful rhythms, and a celebration of India’s rich musical heritage. From the 11th to the 13th of August, New York City will come alive with the harmonious sounds of renowned artists, and pay homage to the late Pandit Vijay Kichlu, one of the greatest proponents of Indian classical music.

This line-up of events includes:

Tribute to Late Pandit Vijay Kichlu
August 11, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. ET
The Consulate of India in New York, 3 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065
RSVP: Click here
On the opening day of the festival, we pay tribute to the esteemed Pandit Vijay Kichlu, whose contributions to the world of classical music are immeasurable. This emotional journey will be accompanied by exclusive screenings of snippets from the documentary Raga Revelry, shedding light on the extraordinary life and musical journey of Pandit Vijay Kichlu.

Queen of Folk, Malini Awasthi In Concert
August 12 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023
Tickets: Click here
Prepare to be enthralled as Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center, plays host to the soul-stirring melodies of folk music sensation, Malini Awasthi. With her powerful voice and remarkable talent, Malini Awasthi effortlessly captures the essence of Indian folk music, transporting the audience to the culturally diverse landscapes of India. This unforgettable evening promises to be a celebration of the country's rich folk traditions, showcasing the beauty of its regional music. She will present a collection of foot tapping songs in various languages - Hindi, Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhandi & more. She will also present semi-classical compositions from her vast repertoire.

Accompanied by: Anubrata Chatterjee - Tabla, Monty Lalani - Dholak,  Brij Joshi - Keyboard,  Mayank Patel - Octopad, Rohan Prabhudesai - Harmonium.

Three Generations In Concert
August 13 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Symphony Space Level, 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Tickets: Click here
The grand finale of the Music Festival will feature a breathtaking performance by the legendary Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, accompanied by his exceptionally talented sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. Joining them on stage will be Ayaan's twin sons, Abeer Ali Bangash & Zohaan Ali Bangash, marking a truly remarkable display of three generations of musical brilliance. Symphony Space will reverberate with the captivating sounds of the sarod, enchanting the hearts of all music enthusiasts. It is an incomparable journey where the Guru leads you from the visible to the invisible, from the material to the divine, from the ephemeral to the eternal. A wonderful and strange mystery of Indian classical music is the fact that one can spend a lifetime trying to obtain knowledge and perfection and still feel that one has only touched a mere drop of an ocean. The learning never stops along the Journey of searching and discovering. Indian Classical music has indeed had a very spiritual and scientific development and growth. This was a phenomenon that existed from Vedic times. The Sarod Quintet concert will start with a solo presentation by Maestro Amjad Ali Khan. This will be followed by a Sarod duet by Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. They present a traditional Raga of Indian Classical music set to various rhythmic time cycles. Keeping India’s ethos of traditions and legacies alive, Three Generation Quintet represents the 6th, 7th and 8th generation of musicians coming together on stage and performing together. This will be the third segment featuring Sarod Grand Master Amjad Ali Khan and his virtuoso sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash on Sarods. They will be joined by Ayaan’s Twins Zohaan Ali Bangash and Abeer Ali Bangash. They present a Tribute to India’s ongoing 75th year of Independence celebration. Amit Kavthekar and Anubrata Chaterrjee, two brilliant Tabla (Indian two-piece drums) players provide accompaniment for this concert.

Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, IAAC Chairman, remarked, "Preserving the rich traditions of folk and classical music is of utmost importance in today's rapidly evolving world. The IAAC Festival of Indian Music serves as a platform to cherish and uphold these age-old traditions, allowing us to connect with our roots and experience the profound beauty of our musical heritage.”

Sunny Thakkar, Music Festival Director, expressed his excitement for the event, saying, "After the grand success of last year's star studded Festival of Music specially organized for India@75, we are thrilled to curate the festival again this year and continue to bring something special to the audiences in New York City. Our aim is to create an immersive experience that showcases the diversity and magnificence of Indian music. This year’s lineup promises to be an extraordinary journey through the realms of classical, folk, and inter generational performances."

About Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC):
The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the U.S. to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform and produce their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. For information, please visit www.iaac.us.

For IAAC
Suman Gollamudi
Indo-American Arts Council
suman.gn@iaac.us

Curator

Sunny Thakkar

Sunny Thakkar
Festival Director, IAAC Music Festival

From a musically-inclined childhood in Gujarat, where he studied tabla, to expanded cultural interests as a teenager in New York, Sunny has nurtured a deep love for Indian classical music & arts. This has inspired him to curate and present numerous concerts in the New York City area showcasing both Indian classical music legends & young artists. Sunny was awarded a citation from the Council of the City of New York for advancing the artistic community. He is privileged to continue advising a number of non-profit organizations, both in the United States & in India.

Videos

Festival of Indian Music 2023 - PRESS CONFERENCE



Festival of Indian Music - Queen of Folk: Malini Awasthi



Festival of Indian Music - Three Generations In Concert




Festival of Indian Music 2023 - Photos



Festival of Indian Music - Late Padma Shri Pt. Vijay Kichlu



Festival of Indian Music - Queen of Folk: Malini Awasthi



Festival of Indian Music - Three Generations In Concert



Photos

Photos - August 11, 2023




Photos - August 12, 2023



Photos - August 13, 2023