Bridging Hemispheres

“Roots Reunite” features two cousins who are crossing boundaries to demonstrate the ways in which elements of Indian classical music can be integrated with Western song forms and genres, as well as aspects of other musical traditions.

Chirag Katti on Tour, The University of Virginia

Manisha Shahane, by Chris Yeager

The event on Saturday, November 20 will begin at 11:00am with a sitar master class that is open to beginning, intermediate, and advanced students of Indian classical music. The artists will also discuss differences & similarities between Western music forms & Indian classical music, followed by a short presentation featuring sitar, voice, and piano. Participants will be encouraged to engage in conversation & share their experiences with these forms of music. This two-hour workshop, presentation, & conversation will be hosted in the music room of a lovely home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. Light refreshments will be served. 100% of the donations will go to the presenting artists.

Space is limited, so we ask you to please REGISTER IN ADVANCE VIA THE FORM TO THE RIGHT (IN THE SIDEBAR). Having a limited number of persons at the event ensures the opportunity for greater interaction among participants and with the presenters. The address and directions will be e-mailed to those who have registered. Registrants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. You do not have to make a donation in order to register.

About the Artists

Chirag Katti
With 4 albums to his credit, Chirag Katti is a Mumbai-based sitarist & composer who is on his third tour in the US. He is a recipient of the prestigious ‘Surmani’ award and scholarship for Sitar by the Ministry of Culture (New Delhi). A Diploma holder in music from Mumbai University and born in a family of musicians, Chirag has been learning sitar from his father Pt. Shashank Katti for the last 18 years. Chirag follows the ‘Imdadkhani Gharana’, but that does not stop him from reaching outside the boundaries of his training.

Following the Roots Reunite event, Chirag will be giving a traditional classical sitar concert at 5:00pm on November 20 in Lake Forest, CA (Orange County).  At this concert, he will be accompanied on tabla by the highly respected Debasish Chaudhuri, nephew of World-Renowned  Tabla Maestro Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. Please view the poster for additional details.

“There is little doubt that Katti has enormous talent-his playing is both studied and expansive, and he tackles difficult raags with panache. Also, his sitar skills bear the mark of years of practice.” –Rave International Magazine

Manisha Shahane
Manisha Shahane, who hails from southern Virginia, is a Los Angeles-based singer, pianist, songwriter & composer who has just released her second album, When Parallel Lines Meet. As a child, Manisha was encouraged & taught by her mother to sing in both Indian and Western styles. She later began her formal musical training by singing in choirs and taking private classical piano lessons throughout her teens. Over the years, Manisha continued to engage in periodic instruction in voice, guitar, piano, and dance. She also sought out training in Indian classical music and has performed in a variety of genres. Before moving to Los Angeles, she studied in the Boston area with Charlie Banacos, a master of jazz theory & improvisation. A multi-year recipient of the ASCAPlus award, Manisha has been writing songs & music for nearly 30 years and she has been active as a performing songwriter for over a decade. The Los Angeles CD release event will take place at The Mint on December 6. Please view the poster for additional details.

“A marvelous performer and her pristine vocals only prove that this sublime blending of sounds and tones is no accident…an adventure through cultures and countries that proves incredibly satisfying and energizing…Her ability to draw listeners in with various styles is remarkable and many will be mesmerized by her transitions…” –Jordan Richardson, I Hear Sparks, BlogCritics