Pt. Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de Haas LIVE in Concert

Witness the union of sitar and cello by Pt. Shubhendra Rao (disciple and protégé of the legend, Pt. Ravi Shankar) and Maestro Saskia Rao-de Haas as they return to Calgary with the magic of their music. Married to music and each other, get ready to experience their unique presentation accompanied by Subrata Bhattacharya on tabla.

Event Information

• Saturday, October 19, 2024
• Doors open at 6:00 pm, show begins at 7:00 pm
• River Park Church (map)

Seating is first-come-first-serve.

This event is FREE for Raga Mala Members, but all attendees require a ticket. So, if you're a member, please register for your free ticket through Eventbrite. For non-members, we charge $15 for students and seniors, and $20 for everyone else. Please bring your valid student ID if you've purchased a student ticket. Limited door tickets will be available. We encourage everyone to get their tickets online.

Not a member?

Door tickets will be subject to availability. To ensure your spot in this magical concert, please get your tickets online.

Artist Biographies

Pt. Shubhendra Rao:

A protégé of Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar, Pandit Shubhendra Rao is described as  “not only as a master of his instrument but also as a thinking musician, constantly endeavouring to carry his instrument beyond conventional boundaries” and “a musical bridge to many culture whose music is an experience for his audience that is not aimed at titillating the senses, but to seize the soul”.  Critics and connoisseurs hail him as a worthy successor to his Guru’s tradition. His relentless service in promoting Indian music has made him a highly respected figure in the field of music and education across the world.

Maestro Saskia Rao-de Haas:

Musician and author Saskia Rao-de Haas is hailed as a pioneer for creating and introducing her own instrument, the Indian Cello to Indian Classical Music. Flute Maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia speaks of his disciple Saskia as “someone who has been taught by God.” and “everybody should listen to her music”. Critics and audiences alike have praised her for artistic depth and technical virtuosity. She has also authored India’s first ever music curriculum Sangeet4All and over 1,00,000 children have been influenced by this unique curriculum. Her latest book on Indian Music history, Shāstra was recently released at the Asia Societies in New York and Houston as a part of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Subrata Bhattacharya:

A tabla player of note on the Indian classical music scene, Subrata is amazingly talented and his accomplishments and achievements in the field of percussion music have earned him name and enviable fame. Subrata is one of the leading tabla players in India today.

As an accompanist of choice of some of the most renowned classical exponents, he exhibits his command over the tabla and his comprehension of the intricacies of the notes and sounds of classical music. He has to his credit numerous performances at some of the most prestigious venues in India and abroad. Subrata has impressed audiences in the USA, the Middle East, and Europe. Audiences at the Dover Lane Music Conference (periodical), ITC Sangeet Sammelan Calcutta, Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan, Salt Lake Music Festival, Bhawanipur Sangeet Sammelan, Dakhini Sangeet Sammelan, Golpark Rama Krishna Mission Annual Music Conference, Calcutta, A.I.R.Concerts and Radio FM Music Concert, to name a few, have had the opportunity to see this immensely talented musician perform. He has also performed in Sparsh in Lucknow, and at the National Center for Performing Arts, Mumbai, and India International Center, Delhi.

Host or Publisher Raga Mala Calgary