The Egg Presents: Family Circle #4 with Veena and Devesh Chandra

In the Hart Theatre Lobby on Sundays: September 22, October 20, November 17, and December 8

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Indian Classical Music with the Raga Family Circle, an interactive workshop series featuring Veena & Devesh Chandra. Over 4 engaging sessions, this series progresses through the basic fundamentals of Indian melody and rhythm and offers children and families a unique hands-on experience to try instruments and authentically experience this storied tradition. Veena and Devesh Chandra, embodying the generational passage of knowledge from guru to disciple, bring to life a rich cultural heritage that has been carefully preserved and evolved over centuries. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned music lover, the Raga Family Circle invites you to be part of a living tradition, offering a rare opportunity to experience the joy, complexity, and transformative power of Indian Classical Music in an accessible, immersive setting.

VEENA CHANDRA is an internationally renowned sitarist, composer, teacher and choreographer. She is the founder and director of the Dance and Music School of India in Latham, NY (celebrating 38 years) where she teaches Indian classical music. She has been a faculty member at Skidmore College since 1990, teaching sitar in the Music Department. Since, 2014 she is also the Artist Associate in Sitar at Williams College (MA). Born in Dehra Doon, the Valley of the Himalaya Mountain Range on November 30th, 1944, Veena was inspired to play music by her Father, her first Guru. He loved sitar so much that he named her Veena, after the precursor instrument to the sitar, in hopes that she would learn music. He was 95 years old when he passed away in 2010 and his hopes have validated themselves many times over as evident by the international acclaim & respect given to Veena Chandra.

DEVESH CHANDRA has been learning the Tabla since the age of 3. He learned Indian Classical Music by accompanying his mother, renowned Sitar exponent Veena Chandra. Devesh, the youngest of six children, grew up immersed in an environment of music. His first spoken words were Dha Dha Tita, syllables of the tabla. Devesh has been impacted greatly with his close relationship with his Mother. Today, their performances as a duo have received national and international acclaim. Devesh is a sought after performer and
educator. Devesh’s innovative and imaginative approach makes his performances enthralling to both Western listeners and Indian classical purists. His approach to the tabla is the confluence of all the unique influences of his upbringing. Devesh believes the tabla has the rare ability, as a percussion instrument, to very accurately convey a wide range of emotions. 

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The Resonance Series

Curated by Arun Ramamurthy, the Resonance Series explores sounds from the South Asian subcontinent and its relationship with musical cultures in the Capital Region and around the world. This series pairs traditional music and dance with contemporary creativity and spirit, and presents groundbreaking artists from a wide spectrum of culture and genre.  

The Resonance Series is funded by the Michele L. Vennard Hospitality Grant Program of the Albany County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Fund (AKA Discover Albany), a fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

The Resonance Series is also funded by the Arts Thrive & Grow Grant Program of the Art Center of the Capital Region. Arts Thrive and Grow has been funded by New York State, Kathy Hochul, Governor. We thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins for her extraordinary commitment and leadership, and our elected officials who represent our grantmaking region: Senators Jake Ashby and Neil D. Breslin; Assemblymembers Scott H. Bendett, Patricia Fahy, John T. McDonald III, Angelo Santabarbara, Phil Steck, and Mary Beth Walsh.