Benefit Concert for South
SAN by Ustad Nishat Khan
Sitar maestro
Ustad Nishat Khan will present a benefit concert for South
Asian Network (SAN), a community-based non-profit organization,
on Saturday, March 19, 7 pm, at the Wadsworth Theatre in Los
Angeles. He will be accompanied by Abhiman Kaushal on tabla.
Nishat Khan is a leading exponent of the current generation
of the Etawah Gharana of sitar music. He is the eldest son
of Ustad Imrat Khan and includes in his heritage such illustrious
figures as his late uncle, Ustad Vilayat Khan, as well as
forbears Inayat Khan, Wahid Khan and Imdad Khan. Heir to the
400-year-old musical tradition of his family, Khan flawlessly
integrates the discipline and technique of his ancestors with
his own distinctive musical approach.
“Ethereal, compelling, sensual, Nishat Khan is master
of the sitar,” describes the Los Angeles Times. In a
modern context, Nishat Khan's virtuosity has been compared
to such luminaries as “Jimi Hendrix” (Chicago
Times) and “Bach” (Washington Times) because of
the ingenious, very personal interpretation of his musical
heritage.
Abhiman Kaushal, a student of Shaik Dawood and B. Nand Kumar,
has accompanied top musicians throughout the world, including
Ravi Shankar, Jasraj, Rais Khan, Shujaat Khan and G.S. Sachdev.
Abhiman teaches tabla in the Department of Ethnomusicology
at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The South Asian Network (SAN) is a community-based non-profit
organization dedicated to promoting the health and empowerment
of people of South Asian origin living in southern California.
Since 1990, staff and volunteers, working together, have created
a multilingual, culturally appropriate program of direct service,
community education and advocacy in four areas: immigration,
public health, domestic violence and hate crime/discrimination.
In the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami disaster, South
Asian Network (SAN) set up a multifold action plan to address
the issues that faced the communities from Tsunami affected
areas both within the US and the countries affected by the
disaster. The proceeds from this benefit will enable SAN to
continue its valuable service to the community. For more information
about SAN please visit: www.southasiannetwork.org
Tickets for the benefit are available through a special concert
telephone hotline: 800-617-5686, or on line at www. groovetickets.com/san.
Tickets are priced at $50 (Orchestra), $30 (Lower Level),
$25 (Balcony) and $15 (Balcony - student/senior). This event
is further supported by the South Asia Forum, and by Artwallah
(www.artwallah.org). For further information please contact
SAN (562-403-0488; www.southasiannetwork.org), or Asad Zaidi
(714-313-2703). The Wadsworth Theatre is located at 11301
Wilshire Blvd. (at Wilshire and 405 freeway). For information
and directions call 310-479-3676.
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