Music for the Soul

Hidayat Khan and Jay Gandhi in concert

Program:

4:00 - 5:00 pm: Welcome Reception

5:00 - 5:10 pm: Opening Remarks

5:10 - 5:30 pm: Classical Dance Performance by students of Aratrika Sarkar

5:30 - 6:00 pm: In Conversation with Dr. Mehdi Omidvari on Psychological Safety

6:00 - 6:30 pm: Group Musical Presentation by Community Members

6:30 - 8:00 pm: Hidayat Khan and Jay Gandhi in Concert

8:00 - 9:00 pm: Closing Reception

Invitation

Please join us on Saturday, October 12th, for a grand celebration on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra and Vijayadashami. This is a specially curated event for our community to celebrate with each other! Experience the incredible music of the extraordinary maestros Hidayat Husain Khan and Jay Gandhi. Immerse yourself in the melodious and energizing music of these internationally acclaimed artists. Stay back for the closing reception, converse with the artists & guests, and forge memories for a lifetime!

Welcome Reception

Bring your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and others to this beautiful cultural event. As you enter Cary Hall at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, you will feel enthralled by the energy and musicality of this grand venue. The welcome reception is designed for you to meet other guests and sample delicacies by chef Anshika Gupta of IndiqueNY.

Classical Dance Performance by students of Aratrika Sarkar

The program will begin with a Bharatanatyam dance performance by children ages 6-8. Please encourage these young artists, students of Aratrika Sarkar, who will dance to the iconic composition Maha Ganapatim. We think the idea of opening with a classical dance performance by children is fantastic. What do you think?

In Conversation with Dr. Mehdi Omidvari on Psychological Safety

Before the next performance, we have planned a conversation with respected Dr. Mehdi Omidvari on Psychological Safety. Kanchan Jotwani will interview Dr. Omidvari. What does Psychological Safety mean to you? Many don't share their views at work and home because they fear being judged or criticized. With this fireside chat, we intend to highlight the importance of being able to speak freely at home and in the workplace. We can cultivate awareness around this subject as a community and create a better world for everyone.

Group Musical Presentation by Community Members

We have been rehearsing for a group musical presentation by community members! Building on the conversation with Dr. Omidvari and keeping with the spirit of Vijayadashami, we have picked compositions that will empower the performers and listeners. Led by Devika Thakkar, disciple of Padma Shri Pandita Tripti Mukherjee, the group of ladies will present a Sanskrit hymn set to music by the great Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj. Swapna Kulkarni, Geeta Ahuja, Moon Ghera, Payal Banerjee, Vandana Govindan, and Devika Thakkar will lend their voice to serve the cause of human dignity and empowerment.

Mentored by Gauri Kshirsagar, Ehren Hanson, Hidayat Husain Khan, and Monica Joshi, this group of ladies will sing one more composition, Aigiri Nandini, written by Adi Shankaracharya. This time, they will invite everyone in the audience to join them. Cary Hall will reverberate with the sounds of Aigiri Nandini! Rohan Prabhudesai will accompany them on the keyboard and Mir Naqibul Islam will accompany on tabla. Be there and participate in this magical musical presentation. Singing this powerful hymn on Vijayadashami with everyone present will be an unforgettable experience!!

6:30 - 8:00 pm: Hidayat Khan and Jay Gandhi in Concert

A direct descendant and proponent of one of the most treasured lineages of Eastern classical music and the youngest son of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan, Hidayat Husain Khan harbors a rare, creative brilliance that effortlessly takes him across all genres and nuances of music. An exquisite sitar player and vocalist well-versed in the ‘Gayaki ang’, a unique rendition where voice blends with the instrument, Hidayat Khan carries the torch of a coveted lineage spanning seven generations of outstanding vocal and instrumental musicians.

A multifaceted artist, Jay's music is at once reflective of his devotion to his Guru, the inimitable legend of the bansuri, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, and an eclectic array of musical influences from the Indian subcontinent and beyond. He is a world-traveling multi-genre performer, educator, and founding member of the Brooklyn Raga Massive, a groundbreaking NYC musicians collective.

Together, Jay Gandhi and Hidayat Khan will weave magic and transport us to an incredible world of beauty and peace. Relax, rejuvenate, and soak in the Music for the Soul! Shankh Lahiri will accompany them on tabla and Sivan Arbel on tanpura. Experience outstanding music and meet its notable creators at this one-of-a-kind cultural event in NYC.

Closing Reception

Please stay back for refreshments and conversations with the artists and the guests. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 12th, at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music for an unprecedented evening of music and community!

Crystal Lighthouse Productions

Audience Feedback

The following feedback was received from those who attended the event on Oct 12, 2024.

"It was truly wonderful and special. I especially loved the young girls dancing and their beautiful costumes!"