Renowned Indian classical musician performs at WMU
March 12, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- The campus and Kalamazoo community will get a sample of the south Indian classical music of the chitravina, considered one of the world's oldest instruments and the precursor for the slide guitar, when nationally acclaimed Indian musician Ravikiran performs at the University Wednesday, March 14.
His performance, at 7 p.m. in 1110 Dalton Center, is sponsored by the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for International and Area Studies and by the School of Music. It is free and open to the public.
Ravikiran, from Chennai in southern India, is considered by many the undisputed master and most significant proponent of the chitravina. He also has the distinction of being the youngest performer of a concert, which he did at the age of two.
A performer, composer and teacher, he has created and directed numerous ballets and orchestras. In addition, he has worked with musicians from around the world and was the first Indian musician to collaborate with BBC Philharmonic artists. Ravikiran also has written a number of books, including "Appreciating Carnatic Music" and "Perfecting Carnatic Music."
During his performance at WMU, Ravikiran will be accompanied on the violin by Jayashankar Balan of Detroit, and on the mridangam (percussion) by Rohan Krishnamurthy, a Kalamazoo ninth grader who has been described as a "percussion prodigy" and has performed extensively in the U.S. and India.
For more information, contact Matthew Steel in the WMU School of Music, 616 387-4682.
Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 616 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu