R.I.P. ! Rudra veena exponent Ustad Asad Ali Khan

New Delhi, Rudra Veena exponent Ustad Asad Ali Khan, one of the last existing advocate of the Khandarbani dhrupad school, passed away in the wee hours yesterday June 14, 2011. He was 74.

The classical musician who represents the 12 generation of Jaipur''s Beenkar Gharana breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Science at around 2:30 am, his adopted son and disciple Ustad Ali Zaki Haidar told PTI.

"I had taken Ustad ji to hospital in the evening for a routine check-up and he was admitted around 7 pm. They conducted routine tests. Around 2:00 am while he was watching TV in his air-conditioned room, I noticed he was sweating. He passed away a little later," Haidar said.

Ustad Khan who was unmarried is survived by his nephew Haidar whom he had adopted as his own son at a very young age and trained to become his successor, said Pawan Monga, a disciple of the Rudra Veena exponent.

Ustad Asad Ali Khan Sahib plays Rudra Veena- Raag Darbari

The musician, who received the Padma Bhushan in 2008 underwent training under his father Ustad Sadiq Ali Khan Beenakar. His father, grandfather Ustad Musharraf Ali Khan Beenakar and great-grandfather Ustad Rajab Ali Beenakar were court musicians in the princely state of Alwar where Ustad Asad Ali Khan was born in 1937.

His father later moved to the princely court of Rampur where he undertook to teach him music. For the next 15 years he learnt to play Rudra Veena, practicing 14 hours a day.

Ustad Khan was a artiste of the All India Radio and participated in ''sangeet samelans'' and musical performances across the country and the world. He has also performed at concerts in Afghanistan, Australia, Holland, Italy, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the US and other countries.

Source: http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5208460

The Romantic Raaga, Maru Bihag!

While writing about music, I’m very scared because I know I am not at all qualified or educated enough to comment on music, but my sheer love for Hindustani music drags me to write about it again and again. Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande’s classification of ragas has been the base for all the musicians learning Hindustani Vocals. I don’t intend to classify the raagas on the basis of emotion. Though, guni people can attempt to classify raagas on the basis of the emotions they intend to render. In an interview, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan was telling about one of his concert experiences. It was a morning concert and he started singing Miyan Ki Todi in front of a large audience. The environment was perfect for a rendition. Ustad Salamat Ali Khan & Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan started by filling in the Kharaj and as soon as they forwarded to their Rikhab, something soulful happened and there were tears in their eyes. Ustad Allah Rakha and Pandit Ram Narayan who were accompanying them on Tabla and Sarangi respectively, couldn’t also stop their eyes to shed tears. The affect that a note has, if rendered perfectly, is immense. Just like Puriya Dhanashree represents hope and longing, as pointed out by Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, during a rendition. So, here I am writing about the most romantic Raaga of all. It’s just a personal thought. It might also change with time. But I can’t find a Raaga more romantic than Raaga Maru Bihag!

Rasiya Ho Na Jaa, the most famous bandish in this raaga shows how a girl is pleading to her beloved not to go to some other place and leave her pining. The continuous improvisations consisting the phrases such as sa ma ga Ma pa Ma pa, and sa ga Ma pa Ma pa, leave the heart beating twice it’s normal rate. In most of the bandishes, the Sam finds it place on the Madhya Saptaks’ pa or Pancham swar or on the Kharaj swar itself. The expression in it’s improvisational phrases, taans, is of a romantic mood, lover’s pining, requesting the beloved not to leave, or praising one for her/his eternal beauty. If classified, it might fall into the category of Shringaar Rasa. I’ve had the fortune of listening to a lot of recordings in Maru Bihag, a very few also in concerts. Though, the structure of the Raaga is the same for all, but the improvisational phrases vary from artist to artist, so much so as they vary in other Raagas.

Although, all the types of Bihag have a romantic touch to them, but what differentiates Maru Bihag from all of the other versions is the use of Khada/Shuddh Madhham and Teevra Maddham. Teevra Maddham is extensively used in this Raaga, which separates its personality from Shuddh Bihag. Patterns such as ni sa ma ( shuddh ), are of extreme beauty when used at proper places. The artistry of rendering a Maru Bihag is quite a lot about how to handle the Shuddh Madhham. For the extensive use of that swar won’t add to the beauty at all, neither will it’s use less frequently. Just at the right times, at proper places, it should be read. 

Here’s a bandish rendered by Pandit Channulal Mishra which says,

More Balama Ajahun Na Aaye / Mohe Un Bin Kachhu Na Suhaaye

Tarpat Hun Mohe Kal Naahin Aawat / Naina Jal Barsaaye

What beautiful lyrics to add to the beauty of the framework of notes provided by Maru Bihag. My beloved hasn’t arrived as of yet, and without him I can’t seem to like anything. I’m pining and time seems to have stopped, my eyes are shedding tears. Such beautiful words and when rendered using Maru Bihag, it’s magic. Rendering this in some other Raaga might not create that aura of pining at all. Another raaga, another laya, another taala may convey a very different emotion, despite the lyrics staying the same. 

Another beautiful bandish in Vilambit Ek Taal is,

Bairan Ratiyaan Hamaar Bhayi / Mitawa Kaise Aaun Tore Paas

Ek To Jaag Rahi Saas Nanadiya Re / Jhoole Chanda Aakas

Another one following this bandish in the same recording is,

Ratiyaan Keeni Bhor Batiyaan Bana Ke / Mohe Manawan Aaye Kumar Kishor

Rain Kati Mukh Chhab Nirakhat / Laagi Preet Ki Dor

These two bandishes have been rendered by Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, whose renditions are so flawless and transcendental that you forget about everything around that transpires. One more bandish that has been rendered by a lot of vocalists is,

Tarapat Rain Dina / Piya Bin Mora Jiyara Tarase

Piya Tore Darasan Bina / Nainan Mein Jal Barse 

I am pining to meet you all day and all night long. Without your sight all this time, I’ve been shedding tears. 

Another bandish by Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan that goes More Ghar Aaye Meet Piharawa / Chun Chun Laawun Phoolan Harawa. This Maru Bihag has an amazing touch to it. 

Another bandish rendered by Pandit Rajan & Sajan Mishra goes like this,

Piharawa Raat Ke Alasaaye / Sajariya Nahin Aaye

Kaahu Kalawari Madh Sau Chhakaaye / Sautan Kaahu Bin Maane

My beloved has been lazy since last night. Not romanticizing with me. Which second lady got you drunk last night, as you cannot think of me, but think of her.

Another of their bandish,

Saghan Ban Bole Ri Koyaliya / Basant Ritu Aayi Sahelariya

Papiha Pukaar Laage Jiya Hunkaar / Piharawa Naahi Aaye Hamre

The Koyal is singing in the forest, the season of spring has come. Papiha is also singing it’s tunes, there are emotions are shaken as my beloved hasn’t arrived as of yet.

And last but not the least, a bandish rendered by Pandit Jasraj,

Mann Bhaawan Aayo Ri Sajaniya / Janak Rahi Mori Paayaliya

Preet Piya Ki Laagi Jiya Mein / Jhanak Rahi Mori Paayaliya

In every rendering that you are going to listen to, you would find immense pleasure, only after understanding the scale and movement patterns. The laya and taal are of utmost importance in the rendition of a Raaga. The bandishes in Maru Bihag are usually bound in Madhyala Teen Taal, Vilambit Ek Taal, but there are no such boundations to compose bandishes in set layas and taals.

Right now, I’m listening to Mallika-E-Mausiqui Roshan Ara Begum’s rendition of Maru Bihag

Balama Na Jaa Bidesawa / Tore Balihaari Waari Jaaun

Palachhin Mose Raar Karat Hai / Binati Karat Hun More Piharawa

"The Romantic Raaga : Maru Bihag" by Kovid Rathee for HarmoNYom (May 2011)

http://kovidrathee.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/the-romantic-raaga-maru-bihag/

JUNE 2011... CONCERTS & Events - Indian Classical Music - NEW YORK

SPECIAL EVENING! FRIDAY JUNE 10, 7:30PM     With introduction and special Guest appearance by Pt. Anindo Chatterjee!  Reserve your Ticket online: http://purbayan.eventbrite.com/ ________________________________ On behalf of HarmoNYom, THANK YOU to USTAD WASIFUDDIN DAGAR, Qamar Dagar, Laurence Bastit and Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma for their incredible dhrupad performance on Friday May 20 in NYC as part of THE MUSIC ROOM! On a full house, Ud. Wasifuddin Dagar mesmerized all music lovers with an exceptional recital, one not to be missed! Thank you as well to our members, music lovers, volunteers, friends, Community Partners & Media for being part of The Music Room project & supporting our 4th successful fund-raising for Music Basti! (Photo courtesy Marcus Simpson for HarmoNYom).   In July, our 5th and LAST Concert for the season 2011, will feature Maestro Vocalist Ustad MASHKOOR ALI KHAN from the Kirana Gharana (Date and venue to be announced very soon). More details: The Music Room  ________________________________    STARTING JUNE 1 @ 6:00 PM  The Anindo Chatterjee Class of Tabla presents Tabla classes in NYC with Maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee.   A rare luminary of Indian Classical Music, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee has attained new heights in the art of tabla playing. Trained from his early childhood by Guru Padmabhusan Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Anindo has developed a unique style expanding upon his vast knowledge of the tradition. Both technically and artistically, he is a milestone for future generations to follow, for whom he a devoted Guru with some very promising disciples, including his son Anubrata. He is equally regarded as a soloist and an accompanist and has shared the stage with almost all the great musicians of India. In acknowledgment of his immense contribution to music, he was awarded the "Sangeet Natak Akademy Award" in 2002, presented by His Excellency The President of India. anindochatterjee.com    ACST School 58-60 Reade St. (near Broadway) New York, NY For more details: http://www.schooloftabla.com/   _________________________________   SATURDAY JUNE 4 @ 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM  Art of Tabla will demonstrate the art of Rajesthani Khartal. Khartal is one of the most famous and traditional musical instrument of Rajasthan.There are two small plates made up of wood kept in each hand which comes up to 4 in two hands,When they are played they create amazing sounds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIooajvE8LE&feature=related  The Morton Street Fair Morton Street (between Bedford and Hudson) New York, NY 10014 www.artoftabla.org  _____________________________     SATURDAY JUNE 4 @ 4:00 PM   Shruti Laya cordially invites you a grand concert by Smt. Sankari Krishanan a student of Padmabhushan Lalgudi Sri. G.Jayaraman.   Sankari Krishnan M.A. M.Phil (Music), a gold medalist from the University of Madras, had her initial training under Shri K.S.Subramanian of Trichy. She is extremely fortunate in that she is getting advanced training for over a decade from one of the greatest maestros of all times, Padmabhushan Lalgudi Shri G.Jayaraman under whose tutelage she has blossomed into a reputed performer par excellence. She will be accompanied on the violin by Sri. Ravi Srinivasan, and on the mridangam by Sri. Dhamodharan Srinivasan. Queens High School of Teaching 74-20 Commonwealth Blvd Bellerose, NY 11426 www.shrutilaya.org   Admission: $10 per adult. Free for Children - 18.      _________________________________       SATURDAY JUNE 4 @ 7:00 PM  Rageshree Music Institute Presents a Sitar Concert by Indrajit Roy-Chowdhury Indrajit Roy-Chowdhury is a disciple of the sitar maestro Pandit Subroto Roy-Chowdhury. Groomed in the Veen-kar style of the Senia Gharana, which maintains the Dhrupadi origins of Indian Classical music, Indrajit strives to innovate while keeping a firm connection with the past. Indrajit's performances include United Nations as a part of the celebration which marks India's seat at the UN Security Counsil, Hammerstein Ballroom (New York), Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), Gyan Mancha (Kolkata), as well as Indian National TV. www.indrositar.com.       Accompanied on tabla by Polash Gomez. Polash Gomes is a disciple of Dr. Mrinal Pal of Lucknow Gharana and has completed extensive studies under renowned table master Pandit Swapan Chaudhri.  Hary NYC - Jazz Yoga Studio 140 West 30 Street (6/7 Aves), 3 Floor New York, NY www.rageshreemusicinst.com Ticket: $15    _______________________________   FROM SATURDAY JUNE 4 to WEDNESDAY JUNE 15 Dance & Music School of India present: Workshops & Performances of Indian Classical Music in NY by Sitarist Veena Chandra   & Devesh Chandra on Tabla. Saturday June 4 @ 5 pm Open Rehearsal 7 pm Performance Dance & Music School of India 25 Garling Drive, Latham, NY Sunday June 12 @ 1 pm Hindu Temple, 450 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY    Wednesday June 15 @  6:30 pm workshop & performance William K. Sanford Library, Albany -Shaker Road- Loudonville, NY    For more Information call: (518) 786-1309 or Email: vchandra@skidmore.edu ________________________    SATURDAY JUNE 4 @ 7:30 PM  Chhandayan Center for Indian Music presents a Sitar concert.   Partha Bose - sitar Subrata Manna - tabla Shri Partha Bose is a widely acknowledged Sitar player and a much respected artiste in the arena of comtemporary Hindustani Classical Music. Partha was initiated to the Sitar at the age of six and thereafter underwent intensive training in the tradition of Guru-Shishya parampara under the tutelage of Pandit Monoj Shankar of the famous Maihar Gharana. Partha has received overwhelming appreciation from connoisseurs and critics of Hindustani classical music in India and abroad over two decades now. Chhandayan Center for Indian Music 4 West 43rd Street, Room 616, New York, NY 10036 Please visit http://www.chhandayan.com/concerts/at-ccim-in-nyc Tickets: $20, $16 (Students w/ID)   ______________________________       STARTING SUNDAY JUNE 5   The Anamika-Navatman Project presents Mridangam classes with Murali Balachandran. Murali Balachandran hails from a family of dancers and musicians. He studied Mridangam under his father, Dr. C. G. Balachandran, and received training in Bharatanatyam from his mother, Usha. Murali has accompanied leading musicians and dancers and performed at prestigious venues such as the Lincoln Center, the Smithosonian in Washington D.C. and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.     Sundays, staring June 5th, 2011 ~ free trial class available! Beginners ~ 10:00 AM || Intermediates ~ 11:00 AM $20/class ~ 10 class session available at www.navatman.org/tickets The Anamika-Navatman Studios 344 W 38th St., 5th floor (8/9 Aves), New York, NY Please email classes@navatman.org for more information. _______________      FROM JUNE 7 AAICM presents vocal classes by Surmani   Sri Sanjoy Banerjee.     Sanjoy Banerjee ('Sanjoyda' to his students) is the next generation of torch bearers of Abdul Karim Khan's lineage of the Kirana Gharana. As a senior scholar at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata, he received his training under the able guidance of Late Vidushi Malabika Kanan and Late Pandit A.T.Kanan.  He was also featured as the only young musician from the Kirana Gharana in a documentary on the gharanas of Indian Classical Music commissioned by the department of culture along with eminent vocalists like Late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Aamir Khan sahib. He received the prestigious Surmani award from Bombay Sur Singar Samsad in Mumbai.  Please contact him at sanbanvocal@yahoo.co.uk or at aaicmnewyork@gmail.com to schedule lessons with him. _________________________________________________________________     THURSDAY JUNE 9, FRIDAY JUNE 10 & SATURDAY JUNE 11 Ray Spiegel and Martin Brading and The Woodstock Music Circle presents maestro sarodist Aashish Khan in Concert! After an absence of three years, Aashish Khan, master of the Sarode (Indian Lute), will return to the Hudson Valley for a series of three concerts on June 9, 10, and 11th.  Aashish Khan was initiated into North Indian Classical Music at the age of five by his grandfather, the legendary Acharya Baba Allauddin Khan Sahib, exponent of the Senia Beenkar and Senia Rababiya Gharana founded in the 16th century by Mian Tansen, court musician to Emperor Akbar. Also under the guidance of his father Ustad Ali Akbar Khan , and aunt, Smt. Annapurna Devi, presently the leading exponents of the Senia Maihar Gharana in the Beenkar and Rababiya Anga of the Dhruvapada style. Aashish Khan gave his first public performance at the age of 13, with his grandfather, on All India Radio National Program along with Pandit Kanthe Maharaj on Tabla, in New Delhi. Aashish Khan pioneered the establishment of cross-cultural World Music Genre as a founder of Shanti in 1969 and later of the fusion group, The Third Eye. He was the first to write a sarode concerto in Raag form. Accompanied by: Ray Spiegel on Tabla Ted Morano-Tanpura THURSDAY JUNE 9 @ 9:30 PM The Falcon (Doors open 5:30 pm) Hip and unique Hudson Valley music venue. Reservations:845 236-7970 Website:  www.liveatthefalcon.com Suggested donation: $20.00 (Indian dinner is served starting at 6:00 pm)   FRIDAY JUNE 10 @ 8:00 PM Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch 33 Yoga Road, Woodbourne, NY 12788 Contact: 845-436-6492 Tickets : $20 for concert / $25 for dinner and concert SATURDAY JUNE 11 @ 8:00 PM A concert of Evening and Seasonal Ragas, celebrating the Summer Solstice! Mountainview Studio 20 Mountain View Ave. Woodstock, NY  12498 Ticket: $20.00 (Doors open at 7:20 PM) Info:845-679-8865 - simlahouse@gmail.com ______________________________   FRIDAY JUNE 10 @ 7:30 PM SangeetSabha in association with HarmoNYom presents a great Sitar Concert!  (With introduction and special Guest appearance by   Pt. Anindo Chatterjee) Purbayan Chatterjee (From the Senia Maihar Gharana) on Sitar. Purbayan learnt from his father Sri. Parthapratim Chatterjee who is a well known sitarist and disciple of Pt. Nikhil Banerjee and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. For the last few years has been receiving taalim (training) from Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. He is one of the brightest shining stars of the Senia Maihar Gharana playing the unique and incomparable of style of Pt. Nikhil Banerjee. http://www.purbayan.com/        Anubrata Chatterjee (From Farrakhabad Gharana) on Tabla. Son of the world-renowned tabla maestro, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Anubrata was nurtured from day one to be a tabla player. He has the rare fortune of becoming the youngest and last "Ganda-Bandh"deciple of the great Guru Padmabhushan-Desikottam Jnan Prakash Ghosh in the year 1992. Later on, Anubrata continued to study under his own father. http://anubrata.com/  Baruch Performing Arts Center 55 Lexington Avenue (Access: East 25 Street between Lexington and 3 Aves) New York, NY 10016 (Subways: 6, R, N, M, F, 1). Contact: sangeetsabhanyc@gmail.com or www.HarmoNYom.org  Tickets: $50 (Sponsor), $30 (VIP), $20, 15. Purchase online: http://purbayan.eventbrite.com/ __________________________________       SATURDAY JUNE 11 @ 2:00 PM   Shruti Laya and Sai Mandir present a carnatic vocal concert.   Sushma Soma, Vivek Rudrapatna & Shenthuraan Tharmarajah.   Sai Mandir 1889 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510  www.shrutylaya.org  Free __________________________________     SATURDAY JUNE 11 @ 7:30 PM Chhandayan Center for Indian Music presents Vocal concert Pranab Biswas - vocal Subrata Manna - tabla Madhu Vora - harmonium Chhandayan Center for Indian Music 4 West 43rd Street, Room 616, New York, NY 10036 Please visit http://www.chhandayan.com/concerts/at-ccim-in-nyc Tickets: $20, $16 (Students w/ID)   _______________________________      SUNDAY JUNE 12 @ 6:00 PM Kalavant Center presents a vocal/sitar Jugalbandi.       Swagata Chakraborty (vocal) Ustad Kadarkhan (tabla) Javed Khan (sitar) Imran Khan (tabla) Premik Russell Tubbs (saxophone)   St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery  10th Street, 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10003 More information: www.kalavant.org  or 212-475-2348 Tickets: $25       ________________________________   MONDAY JUNE 13 @ 5:30 PM   Lee Torchia, Kirana Gharana Vocal Concert "Celebrating the Urs of her Guru" Pandit Pran Nath. Anand Patole will accompany on Tabla.   Live Cable TV: TW34, RCN82, Fios33   Real-time internet stream http://www.mnn.org MNN1    For more Info on Lee Torchia: www.jazzraga.com For more info on Anand Patole: http://www.studioanand.net     _________________________________________      FRIDAY JUNE 17 to SUNDAY JUNE 19   Yoga, Photography and Music: Awakening Fearless Joy 'Spark Your Creativity' weekend workshop in the Catskills with Musician Pt. Krishna Bhatt.      Musical Notes: Instrumental & Vocal Workshops with Pt. Krishna Bhatt North Indian classical music is based on traditional modal structures known as ragas,and rhythmic cycles known as talas. Together, they include a broad spectrum of melodic and rhythmic possibilities. The classical system of improvisation within the framework of raga and tala makes possible an unequalled diversity of expressions and moods: tranquil, meditative, happy, devotional, compassionate, erotic and romantic.       Program includes: Food,  lodging and 2 days of inspirational programming including: Yoga Instuctor & Ayurvedic Physician Mariko Hirakawa, Photographer Roberta Fineberg Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Photography, and Music with Indian Classical Musician Pt. Krishna Bhatt. For registrations, fees and more info: http://highfallsstudios.com Neel Murgai: 718.596.6065 / neel@highfallsstudios.com /  Please inquire for fees to attend individual morning or afternoon sessions.   ______________________________      FRIDAY JUNE 17 @ 7:00 PM The SPK Academy of Music presents the prodigious sitar talent, Shakir Khan. Tabla accompaniment by Pt. Ashis Sengupta Opening act - Vocal recital by Sardar Pargat Singh.  Sitarist Shakir Khan is one of the most promising young exponents of the legendary Etawah Gharana, energetically following in the musical footsteps of his prodigious father and guru -the sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan.  Shakir represents the eighth generational link in an unbroken chain of musical tradition poured exclusively into the sitar. Shakir ji gave his first public recital at the age of 11, and has since performed in such prestigious music conferences as the Dover Lane Music Conference, Saptak Music Festival and Sawai Gandharva Festival. S. Pargat Singh Ji is a renowned Indian Classical vocalist based in New York. He initially studied singing with Master Bhagat Ji followed by Pandit Gurdass Ram Ji of Gwaliar. S. Pargat Singh Ji eventually became a formal disciple of Master Rattan Ji of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana.   The versatile Tabla player Pt. Ashis Sengupta belongs to the Benares gharana. He has received his training first from his father, Shri Ranjit Kumar Sengupta, and later from Pt. Nanku Maharaj, Pt. Mahapurush Mishra, and Pt. Krishna Kumar Ganguly. Chhandayan Center for Indian Music 4 West 43 Street # 618 (between 5th and 6th Ave), New York , NY Tickets: $25 Available online: http://spkacademy.org/cubecart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=61 Or by phone: 917 353 3773 or 646 483 4935 ______________________________    FRIDAY JUNE 17 @ 7:30 PM Bansuri Flautist Eric Fraser and Naren Budhakar on Tabla.   Eric Fraser is a disciple of Pandit Gopal Roy of Kolkata, one of the few living exponents of the Padmabhushan Pannalal Ghosh and Pandit Gour Goswami lineage, and spends several months a year in Kolkata pursuing his love of the bamboo flute.  In America, he is under the guidance of Steve Gorn, a virtuoso of the same lineage. Eric regularly performs Indian classical music on bamboo flute in India and the USA, and is frequent accompanist for dance and theatre. YogaMaya 135 West 20 Street, 6 Floor New York, NY Ticket: $15    __________________________________  SATURDAY JUNE 18 & SUNDAY JUNE 19 @ 10:00 AM Presented by Ananda Ashram: Indian Classical & Sacred Music classes with sitarist Acharya Roop Verma. A new monthly class series offering study of the Sitar in authentic oral tradition under a master teacher and performer. Other string instruments such as guitar, violin and cello are also included. Acharya Roop Verma shares a unique and concise system of musical training. Topics will include introduction to the Indian musical system of notes, correct positioning of hands, fingers and instrument, rhythm exercises, simple music-making techniques, study of the science of ragas as a medium of self expression, as well as learning compositions in ragas and improvisation techniques specific to Indian classical music. Bio: Acharya Roop Verma Ananda Ashram - Yoga Society of New York, Inc. 13 Sapphire Road, Monroe, NY 10950 Phone: 845.782.5575 www.anandaashram.org Sat & Sun 10:00AM-12:30PM Tuition: $40 per class with a minimum of 3 students $35 per class if more than 3 students.   __________________________________      SATURDAY JUNE 18 @ 4:00 PM Shruti Laya takes great pride in announcing the second Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral Aradhana in collaboration with the Kanchi Kamakoti Seva Foundation. The program will consist of group singing of five krithis, followed by a grand thematic concert by Smt. Aparna Balaji, daughter of Sri. O.S.Thiagarajan. The same five krithis will be sung as last year, and they are available for practice on our website at http://www.shrutilaya.org/events/06-18-2011-sb/index.html  Hindu Temple Saraswathi Hall Flushing, NY Free __________________________________      SATURDAY JUNE 18 @ 7:30 PM Chhandayan Center for Indian Music presents Vocal concert. Dattatreya L Velankar - vocal Stephen Cellucci - tabla   Dattatreya Velankar has been seeking guidance from Pt. Vinayak Torvi( a true Guru) for the past 15+ yrs. He has been awarded with "Surmani" title at the age of 30. Last year, he had Gandabandhan ceremony from his Guru (seldom in today's age), cleared Vidwat exam and Akashvani B High certificate to his credit. He has traveled worldwide accompanying his Guru and now solo performances across India and abroad and thus spreading music. Chhandayan Center for Indian Music 4 West 43rd Street, Room 616, New York, NY 10036 Tickets: $20, $16 (Students w/ID) Please visit http://www.chhandayan.com/concerts/at-ccim-in-nyc  ______________________________   FRIDAY JUNE 24 @ 5:00 PM   Annual Concert in The Garden "Luminous Ragas in The garden". Outdoor Ragas for a summer evening.   Steve Gorn  - Bansuri Flute Bill Buchen -  Tabla The Garden Avenue B & 6th Street New York City __________________________________________________   SATURDAY JUNE 25 @ 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM   Chhandayan Center for Indian Music presents Annual Students' Day!   From 12 to 5 pm - Concert with students recitals 7.30 pm vocal performance by Shantanu Banerjee   Shantanu Bandyopadhyay (Banerjee) is the natural, sole torch bearer of the famed Vishnupore Gharana, the house of the northern Indian vocal tradition. Santanu was a noted prodigy. Born into a family of glorious musical tradition, as a child he spent hours at riaz (practice) to attain standards that the stalwarts in his family had set. Today, the vocalist directly represents the fifth generation of the Vishnupore house in Bengal.   Chhandayan Center for Indian Music 4 West 43rd Street, Room 616, New York, NY 10036 Tickets: $20, $16 (Students w/ID) Please visit http://www.chhandayan.com/concerts/at-ccim-in-nyc __________________________________      SATURDAY JUNE 25 @ 8:30 PM Ananda Ashram presents "Luminous Ragas"! A Bansuri Flute Concert by Steve Gorn & Naren Budhakar on Tabla . Bansuri bamboo flute concert featuring Indian ragas for the evening hours. Traditionally, a raga or melody is associated with a time of day, a season or a quality of light. Bios: Steve Gorn & Naren Budhakar Preceded by Meditation & Readings from the Masters with Joan Suval beginning at 7:00PM (by donation).  Ananda Ashram - Yoga Society of New York, Inc. 13 Sapphire Road Monroe NY 10950 Phone: 845.782.5575 - www.anandaashram.org Ticket: $15/Members $12; included in overnight guest. _______________________________      SUNDAY JUNE 26 @ 8:30 PM Carnatic Sundays at Cornelia present vocalist Kunnakudi  Balamuralikrishna.   On tour from Chennai/India, Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna is one of Carnatic Music's leading young vocalists. With incredible command over his voice, passionate renditions of compositions, and breathtaking improvisations he has won over audiences worldwide. BMK is a prized student of the legendary P.S. Narayanaswamy.  Carnatic Music is the classical music of South India. Grounded in traditional songs of the great Trinity of composers, Carnatic musicians explore their own musical creativity improvising in Ragas and the music's intricate rhythmic cycles (Tala). Accompanied by: Arun Ramamurthy, violin Akshay Anantapadmanabhan, mridangam   The Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street, NYC Cover $10 ________________________   STARTING LATE JUNE The Anamika-Navatman Project presents Veena classes w/ Anupama Komaravolu. Anupama Komaravolu. Under the guidance of her mother Smt. Komaravolu Nagamani, Anupama had extensive training in the Carnatic style of both Veena and Vocal starting at the tender age of three. Inheriting the vocal bani, a unique style of playing the veena from her mother, Anupama performed several concerts in All India Radio and Doordarshan as a performing artist. At five years of age, she became a recipient of the famous "Bala Keeriti" award for her expertise in the art at that age. Anupama has also been trained under Sri Maha Mahopadhyaya and Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana garu. The Anamika-Navatman Studios 344 W 38th St., 5th floor (8/9 Aves), New York, NY Please email classes@navatman.org for more information or visit www.navatman.org    _________________________ "HarmoNYom is an incredible platform! Its obvious purpose is supporting and promoting Indian Classical Music in New York, but we find ourselves gaining so much outside of exploring innovative ways of providing high quality experiences through the music as way of engaging, inspiring and challenging communities locally, nationally and internationally! For us, HarmoNYom is a powerful tool to connect with worldwide communities passionate about our work and Indian Classical Music, targeting music lovers   of all ages, races and backgrounds... creating a difference!"   Veronique Lerebours/Founder   Follow us!          www.HarmoNYom.org HarmoNYom is an all-volunteer, emerging non-profit organization and a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts (www.NYFA.org)