The Bandish Network Society will team up with the City of Abbotsford on a free event to elevate appreciation for Indian classical music. The Raga Experience will begin with an illustrative talk from 5 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday (September 22) at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (32315 South Fraser Way).
The society’s founder, Nina Buddhdev, is an expressive artist, teacher, curator, and consultant with a deep understanding of Indian classical music and dance. She has also studied temple sculpture, philosophy, and shilpkari (arts and crafts) in Khajuraho. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Her discussion will be followed by a recital at 6 p.m. featuring Akaaljot Singh on tabla and Buddhdev’s son Hriday on sarod. The Raga Experience is part of Abbotsford’s Culture City: Program Series, which requires registration. However, drop-ins will be accepted based on the venue’s capacity.
Akaaljot Singh is one of Surrey’s most admired tabla players.
The Surrey-based Singh was a tabla prodigy who began at the age of five.
Meanwhile, Hriday was raised in Coquitlam and started playing the tabla at the age of four. He studied the sarod under Ustad Alam Khan at the Ali Akbar College of Music. Nowadays, he plays both instruments.
In 2023, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation included Hriday on its list of the 30 under 30 hottest classical Canadian musicians.
https://youtu.be/1z8AWd3Hshk?feature=shared
Rohan Upamaka (tabla) and Hriday Buddhdev (sarod) perform the Raga Hindol Hem.
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