Yesudas and Chitra concert presented by the Shiva-Vishnu Temple

On October 23, 1999, music lovers in the bay area, young and old, will have the unique opportunity to experience the talents of two stalwart musicians from the Indian film industry: the veteran K. J. Yesudas, the relative newcomer, K. S. Chithra and the youngster Vijay Yesudas. They will be supported by an eleven-piece orchestra for what promises to be the ultimate light music concert of all time.

The gala light music feast is the first of its kind being organized by the Shiva-Vishnu Temple, Livermore, with the theme of "unity in diversity though music. "The trio of Yesudas, Chithra and Vijay is uniquely qualified to amplify and support this theme, with a repertoire that spans multiple Indian languages and multiple generations. For decades Yesudas has thrilled audiences all over India with his mellifluous renderings of hits such as "Gori thera gaon bada pyara" and "Jab deep jale aana" (Chitchor, Hindi), "Adiseya ragam" (Aboorva Ragangal, Tamil), "Daarichupina devatha" (Grihapravesham, Telugu), "Naanondhu theera neeenondhu theera" (with Chithra, Aruna Raga, Kannada) and "Pramadavanam" (His Highness Abdullah, Malayalam).

His longevity at the top of the Indian music scene is in no small measure to his fine appreciation of Indian music. Add to that a golden voice and an empathic style that enables him to give a special meaning to any song in any language.

After spending years establishing a dominant musical presence in South Indian movies, Chithra has burst into the Hindi movie scene winning the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song, "Payalay Chun Mun" (Virasat, Hindi), not to mention hits such as, "Yaaro suno jara" (duet with Udit Narayan, Rangeela, Hindi) and "Kehna hi kya" (Bombay, Hindi).

Chithra has won several State awards too and has the distinction of being the first singer in the history of South Indian playback singing to be honored by all the four Southern State governments - Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka - with the best female playback singer award. Her hit songs include, "Manil Prasadamum Netriyil Saathi" (Nakshathangal, Malayalam), "O Chilaka Raa" (Dongata, Telugu), "Naanondhu theera neeenondhu theera" (with Yesudas, Aruna Raga, Kannada) and the runaway hit "Ooh la la la'' (Minsara Kanavu, Tamil). Chithra, has so far sung about 11000 songs in seven languages - Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Bengali and Hindi - and earned the well-deserved title of "Multilingual Melody Queen" by Peoples Arts Centre, Mumbai in1998.

Rounding off the trio is Vijay Yesudas, who represents the younger "Rahman" generation, and is poised to follow in the footsteps of his great father. With their broad national appeal to young and old this musical extravaganza has national integration written all over it. The Shiva-Vishnu Temple appreciates your participation in this effort. The proceeds from the concert will go towards funding capital projects, particularly the acquisition of land in the proximity of the Temple.

Basant Bahar Presents Shuba Mudugal

Bay area music lovers are in for a treat in October. Basant Bahar will be hosting a concert by the sensational new artist: Shubha Mudgal, who will be visiting the Bay area in her maiden U.S tour.

Most people will recognize Shubha Mudgal as the singer of the distinctive number  Ab Ke Sawan, which recently made it to the number two slot on MTV's countdown show, MTV India hit list. Her earlier CD release Ali More Angana was on the top of the musical chart in India.However, few people know that Shubha Mudgal is indeed an accomplished classical vocalist.

What sets Mudgal apart from the crowed is her voice: metallic, strong, full-throated and power packed. Her brand of music which is a fusion of sufi, pop and classical is one of the best things to have happened to the music scene in a long time, gushes Kalyana Sundaram, director, MTV India. According to Mumbai critic Amerendra As a classical singer sha had a good enunciation and projects the taar shadaja very well. However, her involvement in the pop circuit has aroused criticism from several purists. Shubha Mudgal is ranked among artists like Shruti Sadolikar, Ashwini Bhinde and Veena Sahasrabuddhe as one of the most promising vocalists.

Music did not run in the family, and it was rather late when she was in college, that she decided to give vocal music a try. unlike the norm her gayaki does not stick to the style of any one gharana. She trained initially under pandit Ram Ashreya Jha in Allahabad. Later sha moved to Delhi where sha received guidance from pandit Vasant Thakar. She also learned from father-in-law Vinaychandra Maudgalya. She was also trained by Naina Devi in thumri. She has always been in tune with the times.

She also won the national award for the best music direction for the documentary Amrit Beej. For more information please contact 510-651-6386, 408-296-4353.

Asian Art Museum Presents Indian Culture

Asian Art organized by Victoria and Albert Museum, London featured Paintings, embroidery, weapons, ceramics and photography.

Founder of the Sikh foundation Dr Narinder S.Kapany told people it is amazing to see how much Sikh art is exists. Many of the visitors are dressed in Turbans and elegant Indian sarees. Most of the items in Asian art museum are very old and during the era of Ranjit Singh, the Maharaja of Lahore during 1801 - 1839. He impressed foreign visitors and earned the loyalty and respect of his people. His ministers were Muslims,Sikhs and Hindus. His army was comprised of Sikhs and Muslims.

Ranjit Singh's Throne is not featured in the exhibition in London, was crafted by a Muslim artist drawing on Hindu forms. Among the items displayed are gold coins minted in 1828, iron arm guard overlaid with silver and gold, axes and daggers, shawl with the map of srinagar is embroidered on it. The art is dived into sections and devoted to Sikh religion, to Mughals, Hindu hill kingdom, court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Military Sikhs, Europeans at the court, death of Ranjit singh, Maharaja Dalip Singh the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab. The paints include equestrian portrait of shah Jahan in govache, Portrayal of Guru Gobind Singh on horse back. Dr.Narinder S.Kapany proposed the idea of such an exhibition 7 years ago.After the great effort the exhibition in on view in London this year.

This British and American shows are just the beginning, and he is planning to take it to Delhi and Toronto soon.He also would like to see ̉virtual Museum of Sikh art online. He also praised his wife for the support and encouragement, and her reluctant approval of his frantic collections over the years. Also present at the opening were Jagdeep Singh, sponsor Kanwal Rekhi, Jittu somaya commissioner of Asian Art Museum, Robinder Singh of the Sikh foundations, San Francisco Counsel General R.M.Abhyankar, Counsel Om Khthiala and deputy Dipak Mallik and many more Indo American arts communities. For more information call: (415) 379-8801. Visit www.asianart.org. World-renowned musician Ali Akbar Khan accepts teaching post at University of California.Oct 15th concert planned in celebration of Khan's appointment

Santa Cruz: Sarode master Ali Akbar Khan, considered to be one of the world's greatest living musicians, has been named Distinguished Adjunct professor of Music at the University of California.

A national living treasure of India, Khan is regarded as the most accomplished interpreter of Indian classical music alive today. Khan accepted his UCSC appointment this week. His formal activity with UCSC will be public concert in the campus Music center recital hall on friday, Oct 15 th, at 8.P.M.

we feel very privilege to have the opportunity of collaborating with such an extraordinary artist, said Edward Houghton, dean of Arts division at UCSC. Khansahib is not only an outstanding musician and dedicated teacher but also the heir and principal exemplar of a long and distinguished musical tradition. He will be remarkable resource for our students and for our expanding programs in the arts and cultures of India.

Aruna Venkatesan wins scholarship

Foothill high school was awarded the 2nd price of $3000 in the WESCON scholarship contest recently in Pleasanton CA. Contest was open to students in the 12 western states. The award based on academic records as well as essay. Aruna Venkatesan will be presented her award at the forth coming WESCON / 99 convention in Oct in San Jose CA. She also took part in the young scholarship program at the University of California at Davis. Six-week program includes college level classes, scientific field trips and independent research with a professor. She is the daughter of Sushila and Venkatesan.

Habib Khan & Raven

North Indian classical sitar master habib Khan fuses with celtic-symbolist trance poet Raven and trance instruments of wind, drum, and strings: world voices, winddancer, classical and primitive flutes, didgeridoo, saxophone, bass, clarinet, tabla, taiko drums, djembe, sitar, scalloped guitar, violin and piano at Kimball's East in Emeryville on November 12 and 13 with shows at 8 & 10 pm. All ages are welcome.

The show individually reveals the raw power of each trance instrument's unique ability to enchant, ignite the visual imagination and to transport the listener and then together poet and instruments begin to weave a musical dream. Music reviewer David Legry writes that Habib Kan and Raven blend the human voice wit to sitar's prow-like instrumentation to part the waters like a harmonious, otherworldly seacraft.

Along with a crew consisting of guitar Matthew Montfort(Ancient Future), piano Ira Stein (Windam Hill), saxopone/bass clarinet George Brooks (Zakir, Terry Riley), flute Diane Grubbe (Elsium Art Ensemble), taiko drums Jimi Nakagawa Electric Theatre), tabla Arshad Syed, singer & winddancer Pollyanna Bush (Martha Graham), violin/conga Jennifer Curtis (Baraka), didgeridoo/Tibetan bowls/hand drums Geoff Brown, and djembe Ben Mawhorter, they reverently sail across emotional landscapes older than the vast cosmos of the poetic psyche. For more information contact Raven at 510-845-2411