The Townhall and Indo American Arts Council proudly present "Bollywood & Beyond"—an extraordinary musical voyage that celebrates the rich repertoire of Indian music. This meticulously curated fusion experience seamlessly weaves together the glitz and glamour of Bollywood with the profound depths of classical Indian music.
The evening begins with the mesmerizing voice of Kavita Krishnamurti, a Bollywood icon whose soulful melodies have captured the hearts of millions. As she belts out her timeless hits, the audience is transported to the golden era of Hindi cinema, reliving the magic of unforgettable songs that have become an integral part of India's cultural heritage.
As the night unfolds, the stage transforms into a canvas of innovation and creativity with the arrival of Dr. L. Subramaniam, a virtuoso violinist and composer par excellence. His fusion compositions masterfully blend the intricate beauty of Indian ragas with the grandeur of a symphony, featuring an ensemble of both traditional Indian and Western instruments. The result is a breathtaking musical journey that pushes the boundaries of genre and style.
The collaboration reaches its zenith when Kavita Krishnamurti and Dr. Subramaniam are joined by tabla maestro Tanmoy Bose and other accomplished musicians. Together, they create a musical tapestry that is rich in texture, depth, and emotion. From soul-stirring vocal alaaps to electrifying tabla beats, the artists engage in a dynamic musical dialogue that showcases their unparalleled skills and the profound connection they share.
As the melodies intertwine and the rhythms intensify, the audience will experience the birth of a new musical language that celebrates the unity in diversity. "Bollywood & Beyond" is not just a concert; it is a testament to the enduring power of music to bridge cultures, inspire generations, and touch the deepest corners of the human soul.
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Dr. L Subramaniam is an award-winning violinist, composer and conductor, trained in the classical Carnatic music tradition and Western classical music. He is a recipient of the distinguished Padma Bhushan award, one of the highest civilian honors, granted by the Government of India.
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Kavita Krishnamurthy Subramaniam is a multi- platinum, award-winning Indian playback and classical singer. She is a recipient of several Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer as well as the esteemed Padma Shri award, among the highest civilian honors, granted by the Government of India.
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Born and raised in Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, Tanmoy Bose is a percussionist and tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer. Bose grew up in downtown Kolkata at a time when Indian Music was being paid serious attention in the West due to the efforts of the legendary maestros. His house used to throb with activity-business, music, medicine at all and was rightfully considered as a nodal point of practitioners and connoisseurs of all the above and could boast of being a landmark in the area.
Tanmoy Bose is one of the foremost musicians in contemporary world music and an indispensable member in the global fraternity of percussion. Bose received his early tutelage from the legendary Lt Kanai Dutta. Bose became the Gandabandh Shagird {formally initiated disciple in Indian classical music} of the noted torchbearer of the Farukkabad gharana –Pandit Shankar Ghosh. For the last three decades, he has been taking lessons from his guru in spite of keeping an extremely busy schedule, performing and teaching across the globe. Even as early as being in college, he had the rare opportunity of being called upon by another musical legend, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to perform with him. The association with this legendary maestro has been that of a family member for the last two decades performing with him so regularly.
Another great milestone in Tanmoy Bose’s life was achieved when the greatest ambassador of Indian Classical Music Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar invited him to play regularly with him around the world and today he spends almost half the year traveling with the legendary maestro and in turn learning more and getting better with each of the concerts that he plays with him.
Bose has been instrumental to take drumming up into a new level. Over the last few years, his brainchild, Taaltantra has emerged as one of the foremost world music bands regularly enthralling audiences in the Mid-East, North America, Europe and India experimenting with timeless Jazz, Indian Classical Music, Folk Music and indigenous drumming. The name signifies “sadhana” or worship through rhythm. Even though Taaltantra essentially is not dealing with just drumming, it has elements of various instrumentation. The world of sound is the forte of the band which is worth experiencing.