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Saturday June 6, 4pm Timeless Traditions - Sarod Maestro from India Performance by Master musicians from Varanasi, India Where: Ektaa Center, 2691 Richter Ave. Ste 105, Irvine CA 92606 Pandit Vikash Maharaj is very modest about his being a 14th generation musician continuing a 500 year musical tradition. Performing the exotic instrument, Sarod, Pandit Maharaj has acquired international acclaim as a maestro. His Orange County performance was at the Irvine-based Ektaa Center, on Saturday June 6 2009 at 4pm. He was accompanied by his son, Prabhash Maharaj on the Tabla. The concert by the two master musicians from Varanasi, India featured North Indian classical music and featured an opportunity to interact with the maestro in the 'talk back' session that followed. Pandit Vikash Maharaj is well known for his unique approach to the Sarod. Having his early education focused on Tala (rhythm) and having devoted himself to two Gharana (music styles), he has a wide understanding of music that sets him apart from other performers. The fluency he expresses on his instrument speaks of deep emotions and moods with clarity and precision rarely heard on the Sarod. His interest and knowledge of the healing benefits of music make listening to his Sarod a truly powerful experience. "Since the time we were born we have been listening to and playing music" he says. "In our family, no one does business or any other kind of job." Vikash's ambition is to popularize North Indian Classical music worldwide. He also creates fusion music, having performed with such jazz greats as Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, John Handy and Paul Horn. "We continue our tradition to make music, perform music and bring music around the whole world" he says. "Making peace around the world, because music is what reaches the heart." Prabhash started playing Tabla at the age of two. His first performance was at the age of seven. Considered a child prodigy, Prabhash began receiving recognition for his exceptional skill at a very young age. He is a highly awarded musician and has won many prestigious honors. By the age of twelve he had won his first gold medal from the Center for Cultural Resources and Training and was awarded a scholarship by the Indian Government. He went on to win the gold medal for six years in a row. Along with the Sitar, the Sarod is one of the prominent and popular stringed instruments used in Indian music. The Sarod is known to be about 150-200 years old and derived from the Afghan Rabab. 'As soon as Vikash Maharaj started to play the Sarod...time vanished due to the intensity of the strange sound which fascinated the listeners' wrote the Start Post of Germany. He has had the honor of performing at the WOMAD festival in Europe and other prestigious venues in France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium, USA and other countries as an empanelled artiste of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Pandit Vikash Mharaj and Prabhash Maharaj were proudly presented by The Ektaa Center, the first and only center in Southern California for the arts and culture of India. Based in Irvine, the Center serves the southland community with classes, events and activities that promote an awareness and understanding of the arts and culture of India. For more details or information about the Ektaa Center call Harish Murthy at (949) 300-8912 or visit www.ektaacenter.org. www.vikashmaharaj.com

Saturday May 30, 5 pm VEENA TARANGINI - Dr. Krishnaveni Nishtala (Veena) accompanied by Arjun Narayanan (Mridangam) An 'A' Grade artiste of All India Radio, Dr. Krishnaveni is a student of Prof. N. Ramanathan, Dept. of Music, Madras University. For more details on the artiste please go to www.veenatarangini.com Where: Ektaa Center, 2691 Richter Ave. Ste 105, Irvine CA 92606 For more information, call Garimella 562-865-6202, Warren Venkatesh 714-612-1242, Prakash 949-300-3414 View the invitation

Sunday April 26, 3.30pm INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES... EKTAA CENTER PRESENTED Umakanth Thumrogoti's ' SEVEN DAYS IN SLOW MOTION' IFFLA 2009 ran April 21-26 at ArcLight Hollywood. This year, they had films for everyone: indie films, Bollywood musicals, revealing documentaries, visually stunning animation, environmental films, comedies. Due to the success of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, excitement and interest in India and its films are at an all time high. World Premiere of 7 DAYS IN SLOW MOTION proudly presented by IFFLA and the Ektaa Center. After 14 years of working in feature animation at Disney, on projects like POCAHONTAS, CHICKEN LITTLE and FANTASIA 2000, Umakanth Thumrugoti, turned his focus toward the production of his feature directorial debut. The film, set in Hyderabad focuses on young Ravi, a boy ordinary in every way except for his extraordinary obsession with movies. When he finds a filmmaker's lost camera, he sets out, along with his two friends, to make a film in a mere seven days. However, the demands of school and family interfere setting the film's production behind schedule. Ravi soon realizes that the stories that most need to be told are not the fruit of his imagination, but the daily dramas that unfold all around him. With 7 DAYS IN SLOW MOTION Thumrugoti captures the child's eye view of an often incomprehensible world dominated by adults. That world is confronted with a soothing balm of the truth, passion and undaunted imagination characteristic of children and artists who have not lost sight of the wonder and magic of youth. Additional information about the film can be found here.

Sunday April 5, 4pm CARNATIC MUSIC ON THE SAXOPHONE - 'Prasant Radhakrishnan in concert' A 23 year old virtuoso, Shri Prasant Radhakrishnan proved that age is not a strong determinant of musical ability. His incredible saxophone playing blended both his background in Carnatic (South Indian) Classical Music and Jazz so well that it seemed like the two genres were one and the same. Prasant Radhakrishnan is a versatile saxophonist identified with both the South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and Jazz disciplines. He received initial training from veena vidwan, Mrs. Vijaya Prabhakar. Prasant started learning Carnatic music on saxophone under the able guidance of his guru, "Padmashri" Kadri Gopalnath, in 1996. He underwent rigorous training during summers in India, and soon began accompanying his guru in concerts and performing solo. As part of an ongoing goal, Prasant strives to put to rest misconceptions and preconceived notions about Carnatic music and jazz as well as the use of saxophone in Carnatic music. Prasant is creating a new path for the future of Carnatic music and Jazz. His CD release 'East Facing' has received rave reviews. Venue: Ektaa Center 2691 Richter Ave. Ste 105, Irvine 92606. This was a part of our ongoing 'Emerging Artistes showcase' partially funded by a grant from the Target Corp.

We thank the following for their support: Arts OC, the countywide arts agency Orange County Community Foundation Timeless Traditions series Portofino Inn and Suites, Anaheim