A Concert of Devotional Songs (Bhajans) from Gandhi's Prayer Meetings

Event Description

Bhajan Recital by Sarika Ravindran and Prasad Upasani
Accompanied by Hemant Ekbote on Tabla and Hiren Majmudar on Harmonium

This highly talented group of artists will present a selection of bhajans from Asharam Bhajanavali, a collection of devotional songs that formed part of the morning and evening prayers at Gandhi’s ashrams.

Hemant Ekbote

Hemant Ekbote received his Master’s degree in Music from M.S. University, Baroda, India. He studied with Maestro Pandit Sudhir Kumar Saxena of Ajrada Delhi Gharana. He has provided tabla accompaniments to Pandit Jasraj, Laxmi Shankar, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Sujat Husain Khan and other renowned artists. Currently he serves as a visiting music lecturer at University of San Diego and is a founder of the Divine School of Music.

Hiren Majmudar

Hiren Majmudar has accompanied on harmonium Pandit Jasraj, Tulika Ghosh, Sandhya Kathavate and other well known artists from India. For over ten years he has been performing Geet /Ghazal/ Bhajan concert in Southern California. He has also recorded three Sai bhajans albums in India. He started his music training about 17 years ago with Gopal Marathe and later with Mala Ganguli. He currently trains under Lalita Sharma—a senior disciple of Pt. Jasraj.

Sarika Ravindran

Sarika Ravindran is a keen student of Hindustani classical vocal music. She currently trains under the eminent classical vocalist, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar. Earlier, while in Mumbai, she studied under the classical vocalist Smt. Sandhya Kathavate. Sarika has had several light classical performances, including Ghazal concerts to her credit in India and the United States. She holds a Master's degree in Media Communications from the University of Southern California. Her other interests include writing.

Prasad Upasani

Prasad Upasani is a student of Pt. S.C.R. Bhat and Pt. K.G.Ginde of the Agra gharaana and traces his music lineage back to Pt. Bhatkhande. He has acquired mastery over sur and laya as is exhibited in his alaps, upajs and taans with intricate laykari, maintaining the beauty and delicate nuances of ragas. He has performed at many locations in India and the US. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California.