Santoor Concert - Vinay Desai

Vinay Desai - Santoor
Tejas Tope  - tabla

Sitting: In the main room on the floor with back jack support, chairs in the second and third room.
Dress Code: Casual, comfortable, decent. Please take off your shoes before entering the studios.
Food and beverage: Only water is allowed inside the studios. Please bring your own supply.  
CHHANDAYAN'S PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE.

Vinay Desai

It is believed that the Santoor came to India from Persia. And there is also a parallel belief that there Santoor is an ancient Indian instrument and it used to be called Shatatantri Veena, a type of Veena with a hundred strings. In the structure, sound and playing technique, Santoor resembles a few other instruments, such as the Kanun, hammer dulcimer, etc.
 
 Initially, Vinay received knowledge in vocal, harmonium and tabla from Shafiq Rahman in his teens. After completing his college in both pre-pharmaceutical science as well as Pre-Law in Delaware, Vinay sought out to learn Santoor in India. In 2011, with the blessings and direct guidance of Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Vinay began his studies under Takahiro Arai. He later moved back to the USA to learn from Kunal Gunjal. To expand his knowledge in music, Vinay has learnt from different maestros such as Parthasarathi Chatterjee, Jay Gandhiji and Suryaksha Deshpande. Vinay learnt from Pandit Shivkumar Sharma until his passing. Vinay resides in Shanti Mandir, a beautiful Ashram located in Walden, NY.  

TEJAS TOPE’
Tejas Tope is has been learning tabla from his Guru Pt. Samir Chatterjee since the age of five.  

At the ages of 7 and 12, with the blessings of his Guru, he participated in three tabla ensembles at the 5th and 10th and 16th Annual All-Night Concerts held in New York City, organized by Chhandayan (www.tabla.org). He has also accompanied Samarth Nagarkar at Chhandayan All-night concert. 

Tejas received First prize in the instrumental category in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 at the annual Vedic Heritage’s Holi Youth Talent Competition held in Hempstead, Long Island, NY.   In the summer of 2006, he played at the 6th Marathi European Sammelan in Almelo, Netherlands, at the 13th BMM Convention in Seattle (June 2007), and 15th BMM Convention in Chicago (July 2011). In October 2007, Tejas had his Rangamanch Pravesh and presented tabla solo as a part of Chhandayan Concert Series. Tejas received first prize in the Swardhara Competition held by Marathi Vishwa in 2010.  Tejas received Chhandayan’s prestigious Jyotsna Award in the student category in 2011.  

At the age of 11, he recorded his compositions in a CD album entitled ‘Guru-Arpita – A Dedication to Pt. Samir Chatterjee’ as a token of his affection, respect, and gratitude to his Guru. The CD album contains fifty-six compositions presented in structured tabla solo format in six taals.  A booklet of his compositions accompanies the CD album.  

Tejas has been performing across the U.S. and India for the past several years. In addition to playing tabla solo in various venues in USA and abroad, Tejas has accompanied Pta. Mita Nag (sitar), Pt. Steve Gorn (flute), Kunal Gunjal (santoor), Kedar Naphade (harmonium), Samarth Nagarkar (vocal), Pta. Lalita Dantale-Kurulkar (vocal) over the past several years.  His recently toured India, where he was featured as a soloist and accompanist and won appreciation from all.  He is a Junior at NYU Stern, studying Finance.