ACF 1918: Indian Classical Music Concert in NY on June 16th

South Asian Music And Arts Association Presents an Intimate

Evening of Indian Classical Music with Two Legendary Maestros

WHO: SAMAA (South Asian Music and Arts Association) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting quality music and arts from South Asia through live performances, education and advocacy. Changing times demand a diverse and innovative approach to spreading the music of great artists. The organization's goal is to keep the music alive for future generations through classical, semi-classical, folk, fusion, Sufi and jazz concerts. SAMAA aims to spread music and arts from South Asia to the western world. For more information, please visit www.samaa.us.

WHAT: An intimate concert featuring two legends of Indian classical music – Pandit Jasraj (vocalist) and Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia (flautist). The two legendary maestros will present a rare musical duet for the first time in New York City. Both artists, recipients of the highest national award, the Padma Bhushan, will be accompanied on stage by Pandit Samir Chatterjee (tabla), Pandit Tripti Mukherjee (vocal support), and Jay Gandhi (flute).

WHEN: Sunday, June 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. Media check-in begins at 3:30 p.m. Photo opportunities will be made available during the performance. One-on-one interviews will be made available upon request. Media RSVP is required.

WHERE: Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St. General admission tickets range from $25-$100 and can be purchased online at www.tribecapac.org. VIP tickets are $125 (Rows A to E) and can be purchased online at www.sulekha.com.

ACF 1873: Chandrika Krishnamurthy releases third album, 'Soul March'

Grammy-nominated world musician Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon released her third album, ‘Soul March’ on April 16, 2013. More than 500 New Yorkers packed her album launch party, where Tandon performed a 20-minute set, on Monday, April 15 in New York University’s Grand Hall. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March of 1930—a nonviolent protest made by thousands of people over ten days to challenge the British salt monopoly in colonial India—‘Soul March’ reinterprets the refrain sung by the marchers over 80 years ago: “Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ram.” On nine tracks, Tandon’s “limpid, serene voice with Indian classical inflections,” (NY Times) re-envisions the beloved melody with new raagas and rhythms.

Over 75 musicians came together to record the album in the U.S. and India, combining ancient traditional instruments like the ektara, dugdugi, and esraj with saxaphone, banjo, and piano to transcend musical boundaries. “The story of the Salt March is replayed in different parts of the globe, inspiring leaders, building movements big and small,” says Tandon. “Every one of us is on a quest—seeking freedom. 'Soul March' is a tribute to all these journeys.” Though “even if you’re not...seeking inner peace, [Tandon’s] vocals and melodies have a celebratory quality that move your hips with the same ease as they soothe your head” (New York Post).

Krishnamurthy (left) greets fans at album launch party in New York

Tandon’s previous album, ‘Soul Call,’ topped world music charts and was nominated for a 2011 Grammy. She has performed at Lincoln Center, Olympia Stadion in Berlin, St. John the Divine, and other venues worldwide. Tandon is also the founder of her own financial firm, serves on the Board of Trustees at New York University, Board of Overseers at NYU Stern School of Business, Dean's Council at NYU Wagner School of Public Service, President's Council on International Activities at Yale University, and is a humanitarian who is actively involved in the fields of arts, education and wellness. All of her albums are produced under Soul Chants Music, a not-for-profit label set up to build bridges between cultures and create harmony through music. Since its inception, Soul Chants has partnered with over 40 organizations, including universities, hospitals, and non-profits, and all net proceeds from album sales go towards benefiting organizations in the areas of education, arts, and wellness initiatives.

‘Soul March’ is available on www.amazon.com, and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this album will support arts, women’s, and wellness causes. For more information about the artist, please visit www.soulchants.com.