Classic Musical Melody of India
Presented by Dr. Satya & Mrs. Sheema Mitra, with the Board Members of Joy Guru Humanitarian Services, Inc.
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Sponsors Reception: 6:00pm
Musical Program: 7:00pm
A fundraising event to benefit humanitarian causes in the Worcester community and beyond. Featuring five world-renowned Indian Classical musicians led by world famous sitarist, Ustad Parvez Khan, and a special appearance from the Natyamani School of Dance.
For sponsorship information, please contact Dr. Satya Mitra by phone or email at: 508-641-8441; or info@joyguru.org
Ticket Prices
Floor — $50 - $100
Balcony — $35
Prices are subject to fees.
Ustad Parvez Khan, one of the world’s great sitarists
A world-renowned musician affectionately known as Ustadji, he descends from six generations of sitarists. Ustad Parvez Khan is one of the leading exponents of the Etawah Gharana. His style emphasizes the unique capabilities of the sitar, introducing highly energized and rhythmically innovative instrumental play - known as “tantrakari”. He has also mastered “gayaki ang” - a style which transfers the emotional directness and tonal nuance of the human voice to his instrument. A combination of energetic play and sensual emotion results in a remarkable interplay that led to his instrument being known as the “Singing Sitar”.
Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, a superb violinist & vocalist
Soulful is a befitting word to describe the music of Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, a fifth-generation musician of the illustrious Lalgudi bani, and an artist who wears many hats. A violinist par excellence and a talented vocalist, her career includes performances as a solo artist and as a violin duo partner with her virtuoso brother, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan. She has also accompanied well-known vocalists and musicians – Sri T. V. Gopalakrishnan, Smt Parassala Ponnammal, Smt. Aruna Sairam and many others. She has also released a host of highly acclaimed vocal albums, and her music and achievements have been recognized with a long list of awards and accolades.
Anubrata Chatterjee, globally renowned Tabla expert
As the son of the world-renowned tabla maestro, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Anubrata was nurtured from a very tender age to be a tabla player. He made his debut as an accompanying artist with the legendary Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia before going on to accompany living legends of Indian Classical Music such as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Rais Khan, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Sh. T.H.Vikku Vinayakram, and several other accomplished musicians all over the world
Patri Satish Kumar, Mridangam Maestro extraordinaire
The much sought after mridangam artiste from India was born into a family of musicians. A refined and innovative performer and composer trained by Guru’s Sree Ramachandramurthy, V.A.Swami and V. Narasimhan, Satish Kumar is known for his precise fingering technique and the fine balance of sounds between the treble and base heads of the Mridangam. He has been a regular performer in prestigious venues and festivals across India and around the world including BBC Proms at The Royal Albert Hall (London), The Music Academy (Chennai), Saptak Festival (Ahmedabad), Theater De La Ville (Paris), Harbor Front Festival (Toronto), and the Madrid Jazz Festivals
Raman Kalyan, a master of the bamboo flute
Virtuoso Raman Kalyan is one of the world’s leading artists in the Carnatic style of music. He has released over 93 CDs, with his music for deep meditation reached the # 1 spot on Apple iTunes world music charts, and he’s been a guest artist in more than 300 commercial recordings & Indian movies. A top-ranking artist for the All India Radio & Doordarshan, he has also been a successful composer and has scored music for dozens of audio/video albums, dance dramas and theater productions. A two-time winner of the “Best Flautist Award” from Madras Music Academy, he is a featured artist in the “Miles from India” tour and performs with Grammy winning legends Glen Velez and Dave Liebman. Raman has worked tirelessly in promoting carnatic music education.
Natyamani School of Dance
Founded in 1992, this Westboro dance company is the premiere institution for Bharatanatyam in Eastern Massachusetts. The school’s founder Sridevi Ajai Thirumalai is a widely acclaimed dancer who has dedicated her efforts to propagating this divine art form to a diverse range of students.