PRESS RELEASE

 Chhandayan presents All-night Concert of Indian Classical Music

        After 25 years of operating in the United States, the Chhandayan Center for Indian Music, with it’s headquarters in New York City, presented the 20^th and final All-Night Concert of Indian Classical Music on May 18^th, 2019. It was held at the New York Society for Ethical Culture; the concert began at 8pm on the 18^th and concluded at 6:15 am on the 19^th. It featured some of the most notable performers of this music tradition including: Pandit Jasraj (Vocal), Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar (Vocal), Pandit Shubhendra Rao (Sitar), Vidushi Saskia Rao-De Haas (Cello), Pandit Debasish Bhattacharya (Guitar), Pandit Samir Chatterjee (Tabla) etc. It also featured a unique tabla symphony performance titled ‘Tablaphilia’, based on the theme of chaturashram, composed and conducted by Samir Chatterjee.

         The All-Night Concert has been a cornerstone event for Indian Classical Music lovers in the Tristate area. It has not only seen audiences from North America but music lovers who have specially traveled to attend this festival from all over the world. For the past few years people were also able to watch the performances from the comfort of their own homes due to the advent of technology and live streaming services. It was a bittersweet moment for audience members as they left the auditorium. On one hand it was the most befitting finale to a 19-year legacy, and on the other hand the realization that there will not be another like it carried a sense of sadness as well. Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India in New York was amongst those in attendance and spoke on the occasion highlighting the singular contribution of Chhandayan and Mr. Samir Chatterjee in popularizing classical music of India in the US. Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Indian Consulate in NY and the New York State Council on the Arts supported the Festival.

May 21, 2019

New York