Summer Concert Series: Sandeep Das presents Taal Mudra

Join us as Sandeep Das presents Taal Mudra: A Confluence of Indian Music and Rhythm.

Because this performance is rooted in cultural and religious practices, we will be marking off an area of our lawn for attendees to observe customs of respect to our performers.

Picnic activities, vendors, and lawn games will continue as usual outside of this marked area.

As always, we are open at 5pm to enjoy the museum and vendors! Music will begin at 6pm.

About the Artist

Join us for an unforgettable evening of spontaneous improvisations, dazzling rhythm, and mesmerizing dance!

Curated by Grammy-winning Tabla maestro Sandeep Das, this special program will take the audience on an exciting journey through the world of North Indian Classical Music and Kathak dance. From ancient compositions to enchanting displays of virtuosic drumming and footwork, it’s sure to be a night to remember!

About Sandeep Das (Curator):

A Grammy winning-musician, Guggenheim Fellow, and groundbreaking composer of new works, Sandeep Das carries forward a 4,000 year-old legacy of traditional Indian music that has been passed down from Guru (teacher) to Shishya (student) for generations. Das has been described as a “creator of myths with Houdini-like skills” (The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia) and has collaborated with top musicians and ensembles from across the globe such as Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, with whom he has performed for the past 21 years, as well as Paquito D’Rivera, Bobby McFarin, and iconic orchestras like the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, and Chicago Symphony, among others.

Passionate about sharing his knowledge with the next generation, he founded Das Music School in 2015, which provides Indian Classical Music instruction to students worldwide. This concert showcases a few of Das’ local student apprentices, offering a unique glimpse into the “Guru-Shishya Parampara,” where some of the most impactful learning for up-and-coming artists happens live on stage during a performance.

About the Performers:

Bailey O’Donnell is an apprentice of maestro Sandeep Dance and a Tabla player, percussionist, and composer. A classically-trained musician, her experiences at the intersection of two diverse rhythmic traditions give her a unique perspective and ability to facilitate exchanges between Western Classical and Indian Classical Music. Bailey has had the honor of performing with her Guru at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, Canada and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and has also performed with various ensembles at venues like the Chicago Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, and TivoliVredenburg in the Netherlands. We are pleased to have supported Bailey’s apprenticeship with Mr. Das during the 25th year of our Southern New England Apprenticeship Program.

Shonool Malik is a North Indian Kathak dancer. She is a student of maestro Sandeep Das and Sangita Chatterjee, and her initial dance training was under Gretchen Hayden. Shonool has presented many dance masterclasses for children through various organizations, and also has over a decade of experience in higher education administration.

Sriram Akella is a promising young Tabla player who has been learning from maestro Sandeep Das since he was just 6 years old. He currently attends Stoughton High School and recently performed with his Guru at the Newton Cultural Council’s annual Linda Platt Newton Festival of the Arts.

The concert series is generously supported by the Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Trust Fund, Bank of America N.A., Trustee, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the CT Cultural Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the CT Office of the Arts/DECD.

Learn more about our summer concert series here.