IMMERSED IN INDIA
During India’s 2020 pandemic lockdown, four Carnatic classical musicians were kept from performing in Columbus. The musicians collaborated through technology and filmed a concert despite their isolation. Shankar Ramachandran of Dhvani India Performing Arts Society of Central Ohio will host a talk with Vanessa Rose, the Executive Director of the American Composers Forum, before the screening of “Rise” to introduce the film.
The second half of the evening will include a live concert featuring none other than the extraordinary Veena Maestra Nirmala Rajeshekar, spotlighting Indian Carnatic music.
Families are invited to return the following Saturday for an Instrument Petting Zoo, where young Central Ohio musicians will demonstrate instruments commonly found in Indian culture.
Cultural Connections
At the MAC, we’re bringing the world to you! Join us for a quartet of events where you will experience “paired presentations” of multicultural music, film, and dance. Build connections in your culture or immerse yourself in new experiences as we offer an expressive mosaic of passionate artists and the arts.
Tickets: $10 Adults, $5 Students
Programming made possible by funding from
PNC Bank and Arts Alive
Nirmala Rajasekar is one of the leading Saraswathi veena players in the world today. She is an excellent vocalist and composer as well- a dynamic and vibrant artist who has been performing for nearly four decades at venues such as the Carnegie Hall and United Nations in New York USA; Madras Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha Chennai, Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsava Pune, Kolkata Performing Arts Festival Kolkatta, Chembur Fine Arts Bombay, Bangalore Gayana Samaj, in India; the Rumi International Festival in Konya, Turkey; Musee Rietburg Switzerland; BBC London UK; ABC Sydney Brisbane, Australia; All India Radio/ Doordarshan – National program concerts – and several other venues in India, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Her performances have been featured at special events –including playing for The President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam and Jazz great Ornette Coleman. Nirmala has been an empanelled artiste of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations since 1987 and has performed in many Festivals hosted by the Government of India.
An “A grade artiste” of Indian Radio and Television, she has been featured in several national and regional concerts on Indian Radio and Television. Nirmala is a disciple of veteran Gurus late Prof. Kalpakam Swaminathan, Bhagavatula Shri Sitarama Sarma, and Prof. T.R. Subramanyam. Nirmala’s music highlights her rich patanthara (tradition and lineage) and her unique creative presentation style that has won her many followers.
