raaga

Tenth Anniversary Dinner and Show

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 18:19:10 GMT

U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert

Kathak Dance by Barkha Patel followed by dinner

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Time: 5:00 - 8:00pm

Location: Alliance of the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33919

Register Today:

Barkha Patel is a touring Kathak artist, choreographer, educator and Artistic Director of Barkha Dance Company. She has trained in kathak with Guru Rachna Sarang and continues her training with Swati Sinha and Dheerendra Tiwari.

Barkha’s work has been presented at venues such as Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Little Island, 92Y, and Chelsea Factory among others. barkha has been recipient of the 2023 Juried Bessie Award through which she received support from the New York State Dance Force in 2024, to tour a full-evening work ahaM | Maha to the Reg Lenna Center, 171 Cedar Arts, and Rochester University.

In 2024, she was awarded the Princess Grace Dance Award, selected as a finalist for NEFA’s National Dance Project Finalist, and was a Harlem Stage WaterWorks Fellow where she developed a part of her new full-length work called Ramti Aave - Her Playful Arrival. She has been a recipient of residencies with Movement Research residency (‘22 - ‘24), New York Choreographic Institute (‘25), and Topaz Arts (‘26). She recently completed her first India tour in collaboration with Canadian kathak artist Tanveer Alam. Their new duet Ibaadat presented at venues such as Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (Mumbai), India Habitat Centre (Delhi), Medai (Bangalore), Hyderabad Literature Festival and at Aadhyam Textiles (Hyderabad). barkha and Tanveer recently presented a new work at the prestigious Fall for Dance North Festival in Canada.

Barkha currently is a recipient of the Special Projects Grant from the Princess Grace Foundation through which she is developing a new evening-length work set to premiere in 2026.

Watch on Youtube

More info at BarkhaDance.co

U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:27:34 GMT

U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert

Date: Sunday November 16, 2025

Time: 4:00 - 6:00pm

Location: Marian Hall, 5632 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers. FL 33919

Register Today:

Audio Clips:

Click here to listen to Sri Chakra Raja

Now listen to Lotus Feet

Listen to Raag Charukeshi

Career
Rajesh has collaborated with several top musicians worldwide and has performed at prestgious venues across the globe. He has given concerts for BBC Live in London, performed at Melbourne Concert Hall, and played at Cité de la Musique in Paris.

His musical journey has taken him to Canada, the Middle East, the United States, Greece, and numerous countries across Europe. He has also performed live with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (alongside Dominique Di Piazza) and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
In early 2008, Mandolin U. Rajesh received a call from Maestro John McLaughlin to play on his album Floating Point, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009—a crucial milestone in Rajesh’s career. Further cementing their collaboration, John McLaughlin invited Rajesh once again to perform at the Remember Shakti concert in Bangalore in 2018.

He has recorded over a dozen albums, including notable collaborations such as

Coromandel Duet (featuring A.K. Palanivel) and Spirits & Into the Light (with Vikku Vinayakaram).

Throughout his career, he extensively performed alongside his guru and elder brother, U. Shrinivas, and collaborated with legendary musicians such as Ustad Zakir Hussain,

Ustad Sultan Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot, Mike Marshall, and multi-percussionists Sivamani, Pete Lockett, Karsh Kale, Greg Ellis, Bickram Ghosh, Kamal Sabri, Niladri Kumar, and more.

Mandolin – The instrument

The mandolin is a versatile instrument that brings a distinctive style to Carnatic music, with an impressive acoustic range of three complete octaves.

As a child, U. Shrinivas modified a standard 8-string electric mandolin into a 5-string mandolin, tuning it to CGCGC. He replaced the traditional four pairs of strings with four single strings and added a fifth string for the bass (Mandra Sthayi).

This unique adaptation, now widely used by musicians worldwide, is popularly referred to as the "U. Shrinivas Mandolin."

Amrutha Venkatesh

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:47:39 GMT

Amrutha Venkatesh

Date: Friday May 9, 2025

Time: 6:30-8:30pm.

Location: Be Our Guest Party Room - 12901 McGregor Blvd Unit 10, Fort Myers, FL 33919

Register Today:

Amrutha Venkatesh is a trend setting Musician, performer, teacher and composer who has made her mark as a thinking musician who blends seamlessly the old and new. Her ever expanding repertoire and attention to nuances have made her a sought after performer and Guru.

Her unique style that is evolving over the years bears the influence of her Gurus Vidushi Parassala B.Ponnammal, Prince Rama Varma,Vidushi Charumathi Ramachandran and Vidwan M.T.Selvanarayana.She is a recepient of the Top grade from All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Listen to some of her singing.

L.Ramakrishnan

A leading Violin artiste, L.Ramakrishnan has won acclaim for his sharp musical intuition and aptness of accompanying Musicians of all generations. He has been moulded by Gurus Smt. Visalam Vageeshwar, Vidwan T.K.Govinda Rao, Smt T.R.Balamani, Dr.B.Balasubrahmaniyan and has been under the tutelage of Sangita Kalanidhi Vidushi A.Kanyakumari since 1996.

He has teamed up with many distinguished artists at prestigious venues across the globe. An educator par excellence, he revels in passing on his insights to the next generation of musicians.

S.J.Arjun Ganesh

Arjun Ganesh is a Mridangam virtuoso. A disciple of the legendary Poongulam Sri. R. Sabesa lyer, his unparalleled technical prowess has fortified the fine balance of rhythm and melody that he stands for. A Top graded artiste of All India Radio and Doordarshan, he has to his credit over three decades as a performer .As the founder of LAYA AALAYA Mridangam School, he has mentored over a 100 students worldwide.

G. Chandrasekara Sharma

A distinct,dextrous and sensitive playing style,makes Chandrasekara Sharma one of the busiest and most decorated Ghatam Artistes in the circuit.

Having trained under the legend Sangita Kala Acharya Sri T.H.Subhash Chandran, he has toured the World and plays for numerous artistes of repute. He is a

phenomenal Vocal artiste as well, having trained under Vidwan Vijay Siva and Vidwan R.K.Shriramkumar.

Isai Payanam - A Musical Journey with Dr. Charulatha Mani

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 03:49:24 GMT

Isai Payanam - A Musical Journey with Dr. Charulatha Mani

An amazing voice spanning 3 octaves ! She launched the iconic Isai Payanam program on TV - bridging classical and film music. Her concerts are renowned for being soulful & multilingual.

Concert Date: Sunday 08 September 2024
Concert Time: 5 - 7 PM EST
Concert Venue: FSW Rush Auditorium, J-103 , 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919
Admission: FREE. Please register on our website to attend.

DONATIONS WELCOME!

Dr Charulatha Mani , our main vocalist for this concert, is a multi-award winning Carnatic and film playback singer and ethnomusicologist. Having trained under stalwarts Sandhyavandanam Sri Srinivasa Rao, Calcutta Sri. K. S. Krishnamurthy, and Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy for over two decades, Charulatha is well-known for her phenomenal vocal ability, three octave range, and flawless technique. Her classical depth and creative innovation have earned her several awards and accolades (Yuva Kala Bharati, M. S. Subbulakshmi Endowment Award from Narada Gana Sabha, and Isai Kurisil from Govt. of India).

Charulatha launched the iconic Isai Payanam in 2006 , first as a TV show on Jaya TV and then as a concert series at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai. Over the last 15 years, Isai Payanam has grown to become a world-renowned brand among rasikas, students, and artists alike. An innovative concert format like no other, Charulatha Mani’s Isai Payanam draws together the powerful aspects of Carnatic ragas and classically based film music from with a multilingual flavor. Known for Charulatha’s brilliant raga analysis, breathtaking vocal prowess and range, vintage to modern pan-Indian coverage, and classy aesthetic appeal, Isai Payanam has demystified and democratised Carnatic music. A multi-faceted thinker, Charulatha is also the author of “ A Raga’s Journey ” series of articles in The Hindu.

Charulatha completed her PhD in 2019 from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in Australia on synergies between Carnatic vocal music and 17th century Italian opera. One of the frontline scholars in her field, in 2020 she founded the perinatal mental health and wellbeing initiative involving lullaby singing and songwriting among migrant and refugee mothers and midwives – “ Sing to Connect “. She completed a 2-year post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Queensland in 2022 on human flourishing and music. Charulatha is currently on the faculty at the University of Tasmania, Hobart and is Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, Canberra. With years of teaching experience across Universities in Australia designing and lecturing courses on music and health/music education/ethnomusicology, she is an award-winning educator. Charulatha recently delivered an invited keynote address at the prestigious Carnegie Hall Lullaby Project Convention (June 1-3, 2023) on her funded research on music in health settings.

B. Anantha Krishnan, on the Violin, hails from a reputed musician family. He is the grandson and disciple of Violin Vidwan, Late V.K. Venkata Ramanujam Iyengar (Professor – Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University), and son of equally reputed violinist Dr V. Balaji, Head of the Department, Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi).

He has had the honor of accompanying many legends of Carnatic music and continues to share the stage with all senior artists to name a few, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Balamurali Krishna, Sri. Nedunuri Krishnamuthy, Sri. T. N. Seshagopalan, Sri. T. V. Sankaranarayanan, Sri. N. Ramani, Smt. Aruna Sairam, Priya Sisters, Smt. Vishaka Hari, Sri. Abhishek Raguraman, Sri. Gurucharan, Sri. Sandeep Narayan.

He has performed at The Music Academy Madras, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha, Bharat Kalachar, and Shanmukhananda Sabha (Mumbai), SIMA - LA, CMANA - NJ, SIFAS Singapore.

He has played for several Music Directors - Harris Jayaraj, Santhosh Narayan, Harshavaradan Rameshwar (Telugu). He has also played in various Dance Drama Projects of Sri. Rajkumar Barathi.

He has had concert tours in several countries - Germany, Belgium, USA, Singapore, Dubai, Doha, South Africa, Australia and Srilanka. He is a graded artist of All India Radio, Chennai. He has many students some of whom have started performing concerts.

Ananthakrishnan conducted a vocal music workshop for Raaga last year, in Fort Myers.

Vijay Ganesh, on the Mridangam (hand drum), started learning this divine art from the age of 6. He had his tutelage under Sangeetha kala Acharya, Vidwan Late Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer.

He also had lessons from Mridangam Legend Kalaimamani Srimushnam V Rajarao.

Vijay Ganesh has performed extensively in India and United States accompanying many eminent Carnatic musicians like Dr M Balamurali Krishna, Nagai Muralidharan, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan, TM Krishna, P Unnikrishnan, Maharajapuram Ramachandran. He has also played with outstanding musicians of the Hindustani stream like Pandit Viswamohan Bhatt, Pandit Ronu Majumdar.

He is an AIR, Chennai graded artist.

He has won several awards including:

Best Mridangist award from Music Academy

Best Mridangist award in Gokulashtami festival from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha

“Youth excellence” for Mridangam from Sri Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer trust.

Vijay Ganesh is the director of KMR School of Mridangam under which he is propagating Carnatic music in many prestigious stages in & around USA & Canada.

WAHH World Fusion Band

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 01:30:47 GMT

WAHH World Fusion Band

Sitar recital by Hindol Deb
Shankh Lahiri on Tabla

followed by energizing
WAHH World Fusion Band

Concert Date: Saturday 26 October 2024
Concert Time: 6 - 9 PM EST
Concert Venue: FSW Carl & Diana Grissom Community Room, AA-177 , 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919 ( Parking Lot 1 )
Parking Lot 1 is the first from College Pkwy.
Enter through Walker Hall/Medical Museum of History and the first hallway on the right leads you to AA 177. Look for RAAGA signs.
Admission: FREE. Please register below on our website to attend.

DONATIONS ENCOURAGED!

Hindol Deb our Sitarist for this evening, started learning the Sitar at the age of five from his father Sri Panchanan Sardar. Thereafter, he received training from other imminent teachers like Pandit Santosh Bannerji from the Rampur gharana (school of thought)whose profound influence on of Been-ang (special style of playing Veena) on Surbahar inspired him to imbibe that style in his performance. Later he went on to learn from Pandit Deepak Chowdhury who taught him the tantrakari of the Maihar gharana. Some of the other eminent artists who have been a source of Hindol's inspiration are Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, Pandit Nikhil Bannerji, Pandita Girija Devi, Pandit BhimsenJoshi, Pandita Kishori Amonkar among others have shaped Hindol's style of performance.

As one of the Indian music critics wrote in his column,”Hindol’s performance is marked by a combination of technical finesse and a deep sense of maturity.” His indian classical renditions are marked by maintaining the aethetics of the Raga, carefully crafted Improvisation with elaborate rhythmic sections. Hindol’s deep interest in creating meaningful compositions to play together with non-indian instruments led him to finish Masters in Jazz Improvisation from the Hochschule für Musik, Köln. During his study at the University his interest was drawn towards the medieval western music as well as Jazz followed by several sessions with the musicians. The outcome of these sessions are his own projects – Medieval Raga, with Indian & Medieval music composed for Sitar, Cello and Percussion and Essence of Duality , a Crossover-jazz Quartet composed for Sitar, Piano, Double Bass and Drums.

Apart from his own projects, Hindol has been actively involved in combining different other genres with Indian music exploring the infinite combinations in the crossover of Indian music with various other genres like Contemporary Western Classical, Jazz, Flamenco, Nordic folk, Balkan music. In 2015 he did a Crossover Project together with German double Bassist Sebastian Gramss called Roots & Shoots touring India and Germany. He also worked with the well-known Swedish Duo Nina and Mattias Perez on their Nordic-Indian Crossover Northlight to give performances in Sweden and India. In 2018 he recorded for Marcus Stockhausen together with other musicians in Eternal Voyage, released by SONY music. In 2019 he worked with Marina Abramovic in her Project ‘Anders Hören’ performed at the Alte-Oper Frankfurt. He was commissioned by the well-known danseuse Daksha Mashruwala to compose for a music Dance Choreography 'Crossing Oceans' has been staged in all major dance festivals in India.

Hindol has also been invited to several artists-in-residency programs like the Carnegie Hall Alumni residency, Recollets - french ministry of culture, Rikskonzerter Sweden to participate in Ethno, Goethe Institute Germany among others. He has toured internationally in various countries including US, Germany, France, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland, Luxembourg.

As a dedicated teacher Hindol conducts Sitar lessons and workshops of Indian Classical music, Improvisation, interpretation of Indian music in Western musical context. Among some of the Institutes he has conducted workshops in Hoschule for Muzik und Tanz in Cologne, Popakademie Mannheim, Rheinische Musicschule Cologne, Arvika, Karlstad and Lund University in Sweden to name a few. Since 2017 Hindol teaches Indian Music at the Popakademie in Mannheim.

Hindol is accompanied on the Tabla by Shankh Lahiri
Shankh Lahiri - Tabla Virtuoso, Composer, and Music Educator

Shankh Lahiri is an internationally acclaimed tabla player, composer, and singer with deep roots in Indian Classical Music. Born into a musical family, he received intensive training in vocal music and tabla from his father, sitarist Shri Rabi Lahiri. Shankh later studied under Pt. Sandeep Dev and is currently a senior disciple of tabla maestro Pandit Nayan Ghosh.

As a performer, Shankh has shared stages with legends like Pandit Jasraj and Ustad Shujaat Khan. His global tours have included performances at prestigious venues such as the Sanremo Music Festival in Cuba and South by Southwest in the US. Shankh also performed for Raaga earlier this year, accompanying Veena Maestro Rajesh Vaidhya.

Shankh is also a dedicated music educator and cultural ambassador. He founded the Shruti Foundation, Shruti School of Music, and WAHH! World Fusion Band. Through these organizations, based in Tampa, Florida, he promotes Indian Classical and intercultural music in the United States through classes, concerts, and workshops.

Shankh Lahiri's multifaceted career as a performer, composer, and educator makes him a significant figure in the global Indian Classical Music scene. His work continues to bridge cultures and inspire new generations of musicians and music lovers.

See also
shankhandfriends.com
shrutifoundationtampa.org
shrutischoolofmusic.com
wahhmusic.com

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShankhLahiri/featured

WAHH World Fusion Band:
Peter Mongaya - Guitar,

Seth Lynn - Bass, Michael Washington - Drums

Hindol Deb - Sitar, Shankh Lahiri - Tabla
WAHH World Fusion Band, founded by tabla virtuoso Shankh Lahiri, is an innovative musical ensemble that seamlessly blends Eastern and Western musical traditions. Winner of the 'Best of the Bay' award in 2016, WAHH crafts original music that fuses Indian classical elements with contemporary Western styles.

The band's unique sound, dubbed 'RaagaJazz', intertwines Indian ragas with rock, jazz, and funk, creating a captivating and dynamic musical experience.

Since their debut in Tampa in 2009, WAHH has rperformed at the SanRemo Music Festival in Cuba, South by Southwest, Tropical Heatwave Festival, Gasparilla Music Fest, House of Blues LA, Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, and the Straz Center for Performing Arts.

As described by Leilani Polk of Creative Loafing Tampa, WAHH's music is "heady and inherently exotic, while remaining intriguingly listenable." Their innovative approach to world fusion music continues to unite diverse audiences under a creative new sound, bridging cultural gaps through the universal language of music.

For more information and to experience WAHH's unique sound, visit wahhmusic.com or their social media channels on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Listen to a sample below.

Kuchipudi Dance Recital

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 21:11:29 GMT

Kuchipudi Dance Recital

Yamini Saripalli -spellbinding dancer

Concert Date: Saturday 22 February 2025
Concert Time: 4 - 6 PM EST
Concert Venue: FSW Rush Auditorium, J-103 , 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919
Admission: FREE. Please register on our website to attend.

DONATIONS WELCOME!

Dr. Yamini Saripalli is a disciple of the late Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam and his son, late Vempati Ravi Shankar. Yamini trained for over two decades under her gurus and the esteemed faculty at the Kuchipudi Art Academy - Chennai. Yamini has performed with Dr. Vempati's troupe throughout the United States and India.

As a solo artist, Yamini has performed at various esteemed venues throughout the United States, India, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom in addition to performing in the Chennai Dance and Music Season for many years.

She has also received training in Carnatic vocal music under the late Bhagavatula Seetharama Sarma in Chennai, India.

In her commitment to passing on this glorious Kuchipudi dance tradition to future generations and sharing Kuchipudi with mainstream audiences, Yamini runs Kuchipudi Kala Nilayam, a Maryland based non-profit organization that practices, presents and promotes excellence in Kuchipudi through teaching classes, conducting lecture demonstrations / workshops and presenting performances in the USA and abroad.

Yamini passionately and relentlessly pursues excellence and the highest of standards in her art form.

Kuchipudi is a classical Indian dance-drama style that originated in the village of Kuchilapuri in the state of Andhra, India. Evidence of Kuchipudi's existence is found in copper inscriptions of the 10th century. In the past, only male dancers performed Kuchipudi. The performance will start with a dance dedicated to Nataraja (Shiva), the Lord of Dance. This will be followed by pieces where Satyabhama and other women show their love for Lord Krishna. At the end, Dr. Yamini will have a presentation about Kuchipudi and answer questions from the audience.

Watch her performance here.

Sax Duo - Phil Scarff & Priyank Krishna

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 01:51:34 GMT

Sax Duo - Phil Scarff & Priyank Krishna

Concert Date: Sunday 30 March 2025
Concert Time: 5 - 7 PM EST
Concert Venue: FSW Rush Auditorium, J-103 , 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919

DONATIONS WELCOME!

Here are some clips from the concert.

Phill Scarff and Priyank Krishna present deeply meditative ragas and beautifully intricate rhythms. Soaring flights of melodic exploration and intuitive improvisational interplay of the centuries old Indian art form.
Anoop Banerjee accompanies them on the Tabla.
Priyank Krishna and Phil Scarff have toured in India and performed concerts at the Jaipur Literature Festival (150,000 attendees) and Jawahar Kala Kendra (Jaipur); Goenka Public School and Vaibhav Palace (Agra); Allahabad University, Music Care, Allahabad Degree College and Kathak Kendra (Prayagraj); and Assi Ghat (Varanasi), with very enthusiastic audience and media response. Here are video links of performances:

Short clips:

Full length performances and longer clips:

Press reviews:

https://imgur.com/a/hbD8OwQ

Reviewers rave about this unique and compelling collaboration:

“Musical delights… Soul-stirring melodies by… Phil Scarff… Priyank Krishna and Pandit Anoop Banerjee.” - Keshari Darpan, review of Jaipur Literature Festival concert, India

“Thank you… for your brilliant performance at the… Jaipur Literature Festival!” - Avik Roy, Teamwork Arts, organizer of Jaipur Literature Festival, India

“American Saxophonist Phil Scarff and… Indian Saxophonist [Priyank Krishna] presented Raag Basant (Spring raga)… and filled the atmosphere with colors of Spring.” - Dainik Swadesh, Agra, India

“Performed Raga Kirwani… spiced up the evening with the flavor of modern music.” - Hindustan, Prayagraj, India

Phil Scarff is a pioneer of the performance of North Indian classical music on soprano saxophone, and exquisitely captures the music's subtlety and depth. His performance at the famed Tansen Samaroh, Gwalior, India, with Saskia Rao de Haas was "The highlight of the festival." [Dainik Bhaskar]. Indian classical appearances include India's Nehru Center, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Dadar-Matunga Cultural Centre (Mumbai); Saptak School of Music (Ahmedabad); Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (Kolkata); ICCR Theater and India Habitat Centre (Delhi); JKK (Jaipur); and Pt Chatur Lal Festival (virtual); as well as in USA, LearnQuest Festival (Boston), Raaga Inc. (virtual), Dhvani (Columbus, OH), Sangeet Mahotsav (New York City), Rocky Mountain Thyagaraja Utsavam (virtual), and Portland Balaji Temple (OR).
Phil has performed with icons of Indian classical music including Ronu Majumdar, Shashank, Kadri Gopalnath, Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, Trichy Sankaran, and Chitravina Ravikiran. He is featured in the music video, “Vaishnav Jan To” (music director Dhruvit Shah), awarded “Best Music” in the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival and “Best Music - Jury” in the Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival.
Phil is also a master jazz saxophonist and is featured on 45 acclaimed CDs/DVDs. “Phil Scarff… weaving magic through his saxophone with Raga Puriya… soul-stirring… sonorous… Raga Bihag was refreshing and delightful. He played… with great finesse and mesmerized the audience.” - Deccan Herald, Bengaluru, India.
Raaga welcomes Phil back to a live concert in Fort Myers!

Eminent Indian classical saxophonist Priyank Krishna has delighted audiences in India and abroad. In India, he has been featured in festivals and venues including Taj Mahotsav, Agra; Uttaradhikar, Bhopal; India International Centre and India Habitat Centre, New Delhi; Swami Haridas Sangeet Mahotsav, Vrindavan; Mahakumbh, Allahabad; and Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Jalandhar. His appearances abroad include Dranouter Festival, Belgium; Confluence/Festival of India, Australia; Embassies of India, Ukraine and Berlin; India by the Nile/Festival of India, Cairo, Egypt; Klangtage Festival, Berlin; Institut Francais de Madagascar, Madagascar; Shared History Festival, Johannesburg, South Africa; and JLF, London.
He is the first and only North Indian classical saxophonist to be awarded the rigorous “A” grade from All India Radio. His recognition and awards include “Samraat Yuva Puraskar,” “Sangeet Kala Gaurav,” “Naad Sadhak;” Scholarship for Young Artiste from Ministry of HRD, New Delhi; first prize in Shree Baba Harivallabh Music Competition in Senior Category (Non-Percussion), Jalandhar, Punjab; second prize in Inter-University National Youth Festival, Kalyani University, Kalyani, W.B.; and first prize in saxophone and flute at Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy Competition.

Anoop Banerjee is one of India's foremost tabla artists of Faukhabad Gharana (style of tabla), He has performed with stalwarts including Padma Shri Singh Bandhu, Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Kashinath Bodas, Chhanu Lal Mishra, L.K. Pandit, Manilal Nag, Bhajan Sopori, and Ritesh and Rajnish Mishra.
He has been awarded “Taal Mani” by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai; won the silver medal in the Delphic Games in South Korea; and has garnered All India Radio's stringent "A” grade in tabla. His appearances include All India Music Conference (Allahabad), Pt. Viren Phukan Memorial Concert (Guwahati), Sankalp Saptak Samaroh (Ahmedabad); in addition to touring India, he has thrilled audiences in Norway and Denmark. Anoop studied tabla with Laljee Srivastava. “Reverberating percussion by Anoop Banerjee in Sankalp Saptak Samaroh," raves Newsline, Ahmedabad, India.

Rajhesh Vaidhya Veena Concert

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:02:07 GMT

Rajhesh Vaidhya Veena Concert

We are excited to kick off our 2024 programs with an exciting Veena concert by Rajhesh Vaidhya.

Concert Date: Sunday 07 April 2024
Concert Time: 5 PM – 6:30 PM EST
Concert Venue: FSW Rush Auditorium, J-103 , 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919
Admission: FREE. Please register on our website to attend.

DONATIONS WELCOME!

Rajhesh Vaidhya started his tutelage under Smt. Jeyalakshmi and continued learning the Saraswathi Veena under Smt Rama Nambinarayanan. He also received advanced training under carnatic veena maestro Shri Chitti Babu.

Vaidhya has composed various albums and given many stage performances. He was music director for the movie Vegam by S. Ve. Shekher, starring Ashwin Shekher. He has also worked with Vidyasagar, Harris Jayaraj, Bharathwaj, Deva, Devi Sri Prasad, Srikanth Deva, Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman. He composed the music for K. Balachander's Sahana, a television series. He collaborated with Playing for Change, on the album Songs Around The World, (2008). He has performed with musicians and composers like Sir Elton John.

Raaga live streamed his exclusive virtual concert during Covid in 2020

Please Save the Date | Sunday 07 April 2024

We look forward to seeing you all at this concert and appreciate your continued support.

Read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajhesh_Vaidhya
https://www.facebook.com/RajheshVaidhya/
Listen to his channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT_cq6mS9dGaND0iHO8-Pg A

The Saraswati Veena

The Sarawati Veena is a fretted stringed instrument with wooden resonators.

About four feet in length, its design consists of a large resonator (kudam) carved and hollowed out of a log (usually of jackfruit wood), a tapering hollow neck (dandi) topped with 24 brass or bell-metal frets set in scalloped black wax on wooden tracks, and a tuning box culminating in a downward curve and an ornamental dragon's head (yali). If the veena is built from a single piece of wood it is called (Ekanda) veena. A small table-like wooden bridge (kudurai)—about 2 x 2½ x 2 inches—is topped by a convex brass plate glued in place with resin. Two rosettes, formerly of ivory, now of plastic or horn, are on the top board (palakai) of the resonator. Four main playing strings tuned to the tonic and the fifth in two octaves (for example, B flat-E flat below bass clef - B flat- E flat in bass clef) stretch from fine tuning connectors attached to the end of the resonator across the bridge and above the fretboard to four large-headed pegs in the tuning box. Three subsidiary drone strings tuned to the tonic, fifth, and upper tonic (E flat - B flat- E flat in the tuning given above) cross a curving side bridge leaning against the main bridge, and stretch on the player's side of the neck to three pegs matching those of the main playing strings. All seven strings today are of steel.

On the Tabla: Shankh Lahiri

Shankh Lahiri is the Founder and Director of Shruti Foundation & Shruti School of Music - a fast growing Music organization in USA that promotes the rich Art of Indian Classical Music as well as Cultural and Intercultural Music through its ongoing Classes, Concerts and Workshops.

Shankh Lahiri comes from a family with a strong tradition of Indian Classical Music and has fully devoted his life to Music. Son of the visionary sitarist and Guru Shri Rabindranath Lahiri (disciple of Ustad Dabir Khan), he grew up in an environment imbued with the fragrance of Hindustani music. As a child, he received intensive trainin Shankhachur in both vocal and tabla from his father and went on to graduate with in both subjects. He later took advanced talim in tabla from Pt. Sandeep Dev in Kolkata. Currently Shankh, as he is lovingly known in the fraternity, is devoted senior disciple of world-renowned tabla maestro Pandit Nayan Ghosh.

M. Lakshman on Mridangam

Lakshman is a mridangist in the Palghat Mani Iyer percussion tradition and learned under the tutelage of Palghat Sri. T.R. Rajamani. He has performed in major venues in the United States, Canada, Europe and India with Carnatic musicians such as Dr. L. Subramaniam, Ravikiran, Guitar Prasanna, Prof. T. N. Krishnan and Sankaran Namboodiri. He has authored articles on percussion appreciation and tutored many students worldwide. Lakshman has also conducted rhythm appreciation workshops and konnakol demonstrations.

Currently, Lakshman is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems in the Lutgert College of Business, Florida Gulf Coast University. Prior to this position, he served as faculty member at Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, India.
Lakshman has represented Raaga at the Fort Myers ArtFest.

On the Guitar: A.R.Anand

Anand commenced his musical journey at the age of 8, under the esteemed mentorship of renowned music director Shri. P.S. Divakar, followed by guidance from the illustrious Mr. Thangadurai Samuel of the Musee Musical in Chennai.

A fixture in Chennai's fusion scene, Anand has accompanied Carnatic musicians such as Padma Vibhushan Dr. Balamuralikrishna, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, and Kalaimamani Rajhesh Vaidhya.

Driven by a deep admiration for Maestro Ilayaraaja, Anand is a sought-after guitarist in the realm of light music. His strings have shared the stage with legends like Padma Vibhushan S.P. Balasubramaniam, Padma Vibhushan K.J. Yesudass.

Event Recap 2015 - 2023

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 04:25:17 GMT

Raaga 2023

Raaga 2022

Raaga 2021

Raaga 2020

Phil played an exciting line up of Rag Charukesi, Raghu vamsa Sudha in Rag Kadanakuthuhalam, Rag Bhageshri, Rag Chandraprabha and ended with a Dhun.

Our September 12 concert was presented by saxophonist Phil Scarff and tabla artist Amit Kavthekar. You can find out more about these artists by visiting their websites:

Phil Scarff

Indian classical music: philscarff.com
Phil Scarff leads the world-jazz fusion ensembles Natraj (natrajmusic.com) and the Lewis Porter-Phil Scarff Group (porterscarff.com).
Recordings are available from itunes and many digital streaming platforms.
To purchase CDs, contact Phil directly at philscarff@natrajmusic.com .

Amit Kavthekar

amitkavthekar.com

Vishayka Hari kept the audience of 100 Zoom participants mesmerized by weaving together a story of 6 saints from 5 states and passages from the Bhagwat Gita.

Rajhesh Vaidhya enthralled the audience by playing:

Vatapi ganapatim bhaje. -Raga Hamsadhwani,
composer-Dikshitar
Teliyaleru Rama -Raga Dhenuka, deshadi Tal,
composer- Tyagaraja
Ni daya rAda. -Raga VasantaBhairavi, Rupak Tal,
composer -Tyagaraja
Manavyalakim Chara, Raga nalinakanti, Aadi Tal,
composer- Tyagaraja
Nagumomu galaleni – Raga Abheri, Aadi Tal,
composer-Tyagaraja
Kurai onrum illai- Ragamalika, Aadi Tal,
composer- Rajaji
Krishna ni begane baro-
composer- Vyaasaraya
Chinnanjiri kiliye-Ragamalika,
composer-Bharatiyar
Paluke banagaramayana, Raga AnandaBhairavi, Adi Tal,
composer- Ramadas
Prema mudita man se kaho Ram,Ram,Ram bhajan
Lag ja gale – Hindi film song
Brahmamokate – Raga bowli, Aadi Tal,
composer-Annamacharya
Maitrim bhajata-Ragamalika, Aadi tal,
composer- Chandrasekhara Saraswati

Ullam irangi vandu arul purivaye – Raga Hamsadwani,
Aadi talam, Composer Papanasam Sivam
Palisemma muddu sharade – Raga Sriranjani, chatushri
ekatalam tishra nadai, Composer-Purandara dasa
AruL seiyya vendum – Raga Rasikapriya,
Composer-koteeswara Iyer
Paramapurusa jagadeeswara– Raga Vasanta,
Aadi talam, Composer-Swati tirunaL
Viruttam-Nama shivayattai nan maravene
Irakkam varAmal ponadenna kAraNam en Swami–
Raga Behag, Rupaka Tal,
Composer -Gopalakrishna Bharati
Enna kavi padinAlum – Raga NeelamaNi, Aadi Tal,
Composer-Anayampatti Aadisesha Aiyyar
Sriramachandra krupAlu – Raga – Yaman,
Mishra chapu Tal, Composer-Tulsidas
Abhang- Ye hi Vittale bhaktajana vatsale– Raga –
brindavani , Eka tal, Composer-Saint Namdev
Ek Mantra japte raho – Rag Darbar,
Composer-Swami Prabhupada

Maate Malayadhwaja – Raga Kamas, Composer Muttayyah Bhaagawatar
Shri Vighna Rajam Bhaje – Raga Gambeera Nattai, Composer Ootukkadu Venkatasubbaiyyar
Shri Valli Devasenapate – Raga NaTa Bhairavi, Composer Papanasam Shivam
VidajAladhura – Raga Janaranjani, Composer Tyagaraja
Ethavunara – Raga Kalyani, Composer Tyagaraja
Pibare Rama Rasam – Raga Ahir Bhairavi, Composer Sadasiva Brahmendra

Raaga 2019

Raagas played by Anupama were Rageshree Ek Tal,

Behag (Alap,Jor,Jhala,Teen Tal)

Anar Anar folk song from Afghanistan its six beat dadra.

She concluded with Rag Sindhubairavi

Soundararajan started with: Mahaganapatim – Raga Nattai, Adi Tal,
Composer: Muttuswamy Dikshitar
Santana gopalakrishnan upasmahe – Raga Kamas,
Composer: Muttuswamy Dikshitar
Ranganayakam bhAvayeham – Raga NAyaki, Adi Tal,
Composer Muttuswamy Dikshitar
Banturiti kolu viyya vayya Rama – Raga Hamsanandam, deshadi Tal,
Composer Tyagaraja
Nagumomu – Raga Abheri, Adi Tal,
Composer Tyagaraja
Jayadeva ashtapadi – Raga Amir kalyani
Venkatachala Nilayam – Raga Sindhubairavi, Adi Tal,
Composer: Purandaradasa
Oruthi Maganai Pirandhu – Raga Behag, Adi Tal,
Composer: Andal
Tillana
Pibare Ramarasam – Raga Yaman Kalyani, Adi Tal,
Composer Sadashiva Brahmendrar
Kurai ondrum Illai – Ragamalika, Adi Tal,
Composer Rajaji

Jayanth accompanied by Murari and Bharadwaj started with

Mahaganapathim – Raga Nattai; Chatusra ekam Tal
Akhilandeshwari – Raga Dwijavanti; Adi Tal
Pavana Guru – Raga Hamsanandi; Rupaka Tal
Kaligiyunte – Raga Keeravani; Adi Tal
Vaishnava Jana To – Bhajan
Raghuvamsa Sudha – Raga Kathanakuthuhalam; Adi Tal
Jagado Dharana – Raga Sindhu Bhairavi-Kapi: Adi Tal
Pahadi Dhun
Thillana – Raga Behag; Adi Tal

Raaga 2018

Sushmitha Suresh performed the following dances:

Saraswati Kauthvam: The blessings of goddess Saraswati are invoked in a mixture of Nritta the abstract aspect of dance and Abhinaya-narration
Pranamamyaham Sri Gauri Sutam: A Salutation to the son Gauri, Lord Ganesha.
Innum yen manam– Nrityopaharam: Nrityopaharam or Varnam forms the central piece of a Bharatanatyam performance, testing the dancer’s skill in Nritta and Abhinaya.
Momu Jupura : Shringara Lahari: In praise of the mother of the universe, Goddess Gauri, the fierce protector of her loved ones.
Chinnanjiru kiliye: Madhuvanthi Thillana: Sushmita closed with a traditional Thillana in Bharatanatyam.

Rooted in the style of the Virtuoso violinist Dr Manjunat, Arun Ramamurthy brings in a fresh approach to the age old south Indian classical repertoire,The trios collaborative sound is driven by the propulsive rhythm section of drummer Sameer Gupta and bassist Perry Wortman.

Selections played that evening:

Delusions – Raga Madhuvanti; Adi Tal
Preservation – Raga Natabhairavi; Adi Tal
Simple Joys – Raga Mohana Kalyani; Adi Tal
Walk As One – Raga Chakravakam; Misra Chapu Tal (7 beats)

Raaga 2017

Raaga 2016

Kathak Yatra is the journey of kathak dance through history. It offers glimpses of the evolution of different eras starting from the temple period, through the Royal courts of kings and emperors to todays proscenium Stages!

The word Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word Katha, meaning a story, Rhythmic footwork, fast pirouettes, and complex moments characterize this graceful spontaneous dance. The form has its origin in the narrative tradition of the village minstrel, the ‘Kathakars”, who sang songs of heroic tales and dramatized their lyrics with subtle gestures and expressions.

Ragas played by the artists

Ragam Malayamurtham; Rupaka Tal
Ragam Simhendramadyamam; Mishra Tal
Ragam Mohanam RTP

Mohanam is an audava (pentatonic) ragam using only 5 notes, and is the oldest raga known.

It is a very pleasing and enchanting ragam that invokes a wide range of emotions.
Ragam alapana is a pure melodic improvisation based on the ragam, followed by Tanam.

Raaga 2015

Raaga wishes to thank all the members, donors and well-wishers, that made these programs possible in its first year.

Donors:

Arun & Sarada Penukonda, Arun & Vijaylakshmi Maheshwari, Mukund Kini, Murali & Madhumati Muppala, Ramiah & Lakshmi Krishnan, Subhash & Seema Kshetrapal, Viswanatham & Rukmini Piratla, Eric & Sherry Hynden, Suresh & Usha Tate, Rathna & Lakshmi Bushan, Radhakrishna & Shirley Bharath, Rao & Purna Chalasani, Ira Dash, Paramasiva & Premalatha Halasyamani, Mallika & Kumar Nandur, Vishal & Sandy Madhar, Shiva & Nithya Sharma, Lakshman & Menaka Setty, Piyush & Abantika Shah, Suresh & Usha Tate, Vaishali Dihenia, Mukesh Vyas, Sahees, C.V. & Sathya, Daniel Singh.

Ragas Sung by Bhuvanesh Komkali

Rag Bhimpalas
Naad so Jaanu re Sur gaani– Vilambit Ek Tal-12 beats,
Composer: Pandit Kumar Gandharva
Tarana in Teen Tal-16 beats
Rag Multani
Balama moare , Madhya laya (medium Tempo)-Composition in Teen Tal-Traditional Composition
Dil Bekaraar Haiga -Drut(Fast Composition) in Teen Tal
Rag Kalyan
Mukha Tero Karo – Madhya laya teen tal-
Composer: Pandit Kumar Gandharva
Nirguni Bhajans: In praise of god in his formless aspect
Rag Bhairavi

Komkali ended with this late evening raga, filled with devotion, love and peace.

Board of Directors:

From left, Rathna Bushan, Shirley Bharath, Mallika Nandur, Anju Uttamchandani, Lakshmi Krishnan, Sarada Penukonda, Harshad Bhatt

raaga

Tenth Anniversary Dinner and Show

﻿ U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert ﻿

Kathak Dance by Barkha Patel followed by dinner

Register Today:

U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert

﻿ U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert ﻿

Register Today:

Amrutha Venkatesh

﻿ Amrutha Venkatesh ﻿

Register Today:

Isai Payanam - A Musical Journey with Dr. Charulatha Mani

﻿ Isai Payanam - A Musical Journey with Dr. Charulatha Mani ﻿

WAHH World Fusion Band

﻿ WAHH World Fusion Band ﻿

Sitar recital by Hindol Deb Shankh Lahiri on Tabla

followed by energizing WAHH World Fusion Band

Kuchipudi Dance Recital

﻿ Kuchipudi Dance Recital ﻿ ﻿

Yamini Saripalli -spellbinding dancer

Sax Duo - Phil Scarff & Priyank Krishna

﻿ Sax Duo - Phil Scarff & Priyank Krishna ﻿

Rajhesh Vaidhya Veena Concert

﻿ Rajhesh Vaidhya Veena Concert ﻿

Raaga live streamed his exclusive virtual concert during Covid in 2020

The Saraswati Veena

On the Tabla: Shankh Lahiri

M. Lakshman on Mridangam

On the Guitar: A.R.Anand

Event Recap 2015 - 2023

Raaga 2023

Raaga 2022

Raaga 2021

Raaga 2020

Phil Scarff

Amit Kavthekar

Raaga 2019

Raaga 2018

Raaga 2017

Raaga 2016

Raaga 2015

Donors:

﻿

Board of Directors:

﻿

U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert

U. Rajesh - Mandolin Concert

Amrutha Venkatesh

Isai Payanam - A Musical Journey with Dr. Charulatha Mani

WAHH World Fusion Band

Sitar recital by Hindol Deb
Shankh Lahiri on Tabla

followed by energizing
WAHH World Fusion Band

Kuchipudi Dance Recital

Sax Duo - Phil Scarff & Priyank Krishna

Rajhesh Vaidhya Veena Concert