Pandit Venkatesh Kumar

A rare opportunity to hear the maestro  perform LIVE ONLINE, exclusively on YouTube channel “Shadaj Baithak”.  The  concert will be performed live with accompanying artists and professional audio/video equipment. A high definition audio/video stream will allow us to enjoy the brilliance of Panditji’s renditions.  Do not miss this opportunity!

When:  Saturday August 8,  9 am CT (USA)
Tickets:   $15 for Non-members, FREE for Members (Become an IMS Member!)
Venue:  Telecast LIVE Online on the “Shadaj Baithak” YouTube channel.

How to get access to the live stream URL?

• All ticket holders and IMS Houston members will receive a confirmation email before the concert with a private link to the online concert on YouTube.  Please click the live stream link (URL) in the email and enjoy the concert live.
• Please ensure that you have a large screen device capable of displaying YouTube videos available. (ex. iPad, Laptop, smart TV, smart Phone)
• Although the concert can be enjoyed by all members of the household, we request you to not share the URL outside the household.
• Live streaming will start 10 minutes ahead of the concert start time.
• The concert will not be replayed after the live streaming is over. So please join on time.

Artists:
Pandit Venkatesh Kumar (Vocal)
Keshav Joshi (Tabla)
Narendra Nayak (Harmonium)

Pandit Venkatesh Kumar is one of most revered and sought after artists for connoisseurs of Hindustani classical music. Pt. M. Venkatesh Kumar, joined Puttaraja Gawai’s Ashram and learnt Hindustani vocal in the Gwalior and Kirana gharana styles under Gawai for 12 years. He blends these styles effortlessly in his presentations, though he admits to influences beyond these gharanas, chief among them being Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of the Patiala gharana. His guru was also trained in Karnatak Music and as a result, there are traces of Karnataki elements, especially in his sargam patterns, in Kumar’s music.  Pt Bhimsen Joshi invited him to perform at the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav in Pune and his performance there got him significant national exposure. He has received several prestigious awards such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Shri, Vatsala Bhimsen Joshi award etc.

Keshav Joshi is a disciple of Shri R.M. More, Late Pandit Karveer Mallapur & Pandit Ishwarlal Mishra of Banaras Gharana. Keshav is a regular performer on All India Radio & Doordarshan. Keshav has performed in many prestigious music festivals of India, as a soloist as well as an accompanist.

Narendra Nayak is a graded artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan in Hindustani Classical Music and has accompanied stalwart vocalists and has given performances in many of the prestigious music festivals in India and abroad. He is a recipient of many award such as the Bharat Gaurav award, Excellent in Education award etc.

Notes:

• Scheduled concert is subject to safety restrictions mandated by the government of India and in case of unforeseen circumstances arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert will be rescheduled.
• All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
• This program is supported in part by funding from the city of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance