Prashaanti, A Melodic Journey Through Hindustani Classical Music

Enjoy an evening of Hindustani classical music, where vocal expression meets the
sweet melodies of the sarangi, a rather rare traditional bowed string instrument from
India, and the rhythms of the tabla, a ubiquitous and versatile percussion instrument
that has captured the imagination of artists worldwide. Ameya brings along a rich
musical heritage that reflects the lineage of his gurus while developing his own style
that emphasizes bringing out bhaava, or emotional expression, via melodic
improvisation, rhythmic play (known as layakaari), and graceful pause (known as
thaharaav).

Artists:
Vocals: Ameya Velingker
Sarangi: Suhail Yusuf Khan
Tabla: Gaurav Kale

Ameya Velingker is an Indian classical vocalist who was initiated into Hindustani
classical music from a young age by his father, Shri Avinash Velingker. He is
currently receiving vocal training under the guidance of Dr. Pravin Gaonkar and has
also been fortunate to receive training from Shri Rohit Mujumdar. He is also a harmonium player and continues to accompany local artists as well as visiting artists from India, having provided harmonium accompaniment to stalwarts such as Pt. Parameshwar Hegde, Vidushi Kalpana Zokarkar, and Pt. Bhimrao
Panchale, to name a few. Ameya also has a Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University.

Suhail Yusuf Khan is an eighth-generation sarangi player and vocalist from a distinguished musical lineage. Born in 1989, he is the grandson and disciple of Ustad Sabri Khan and received training from his uncle, Ustad Kamal Sabri. Immersed in the sarangi tradition from childhood, he developed advanced proficiency in raga, ornamentation, and the instrument’s expressive techniques. While firmly grounded in Hindustani classical music, Suhail Yusuf Khan has expanded the role of the sarangi into contemporary and cross-genre settings. He has performed with the Indian fusion band Advaita and toured internationally with the UK-based folk trio Yorkston/Thorne/Khan. His engagements include performances for BBC Radio, television, MTV Unplugged, Coke Studio India, album releases with labels such as Domino Records, and participation in major festivals including Glastonbury. He is also recognized as a regular accompanist to leading Hindustani music vocalists such as Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, Samarth Nagarkar, and Kaushiki Chakraborty, as well as artists in experimental traditions. His career reflects both rigorous classical training and a sustained commitment to innovative musical collaboration. Suhail Yusuf Khan recently completed a PhD in Ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University, thereby broadening his impact as both a performer and a scholar.

Gaurav Kale is a tabla player from the Bay Area, who started his training under Shri
Mandar Pimpale. He has since had the opportunity to study under Pandit Ramdas
Palsule, and today studies with Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of
Music.

Ameya Velingker ft. Suhail Yusuf Khan and Gaurav Kale

COLLABORATORS

Ameya Velingker ft. Suhail Yusuf Khan and Gaurav Kale

COLLABORATORS