Please join us in experiencing the magic and extraordinary musical expression of Hidayat Husain Khan! A direct descendant and proponent of one of the most treasured lineages of Eastern classical music and the youngest son of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan, Hidayat Husain Khan harbors a rare, creative brilliance that effortlessly takes him across all genres and nuances of music. An exquisite sitar player and vocalist well-versed in the ‘Gayaki ang’, a unique rendition where voice blends with the instrument, Hidayat Khan carries the torch of a coveted lineage spanning seven generations of outstanding vocal and instrumental musicians. On May 11th, Hidayat Husain Khan will be accompanied on tabla by Dibyarka Chatterjee, disciple and son of Pandit Samir Chatterjee.

The concert will begin with a vocal performance by Miral Vaghela from the Pandit Jasraj Institute for Music Research, Artistry, and Appreciation. Mir Naqibul Islam, a disciple of Pt. Anindo Chatterjee and Pt. Ashoke Paul will accompany Miral on tabla.

We look forward to seeing you on May 11th at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music for an evening of incredible Celestial Music!

Refreshments will be served.

Program:
5:00-5:45 pm: Welcome Reception
5:45-6:00 pm: Opening remarks
6:00-6:20 pm: Vocal performance by Miral Vaghela
6:30-8:00 pm: Celestial Music by Hidayat Husain Khan
8:00-9:00 pm: Vote of Thanks and Closing Reception

Artist Bios

Hidayat Husain Khan

“A daring dedicated performer. His fans fondly say he plays the sitar through strings that sing”, an apt description by Vibe for the sitarist/vocalist Hidayat Husain Khan. Rolling Stones praises him and his music as, “Jazzing up the sitar, Khan adds new shades to the music with his mastery.” He has been described, as, “born to play” by Montreal Times. “Charismatic, charming and fun, Hidayat Khan plays with the audience” by Off Beat. His music has been praised by Le Mond De as “Divinity” and “His music was transporting, piercing the soul till the last drops of emotions were flowing through the body.” by Khaleej Times. He is one of the rare sitarists who adds a soulful voice to his performance which Music-Online captured well in, “Dazzling bursts of amazing taans followed by mesmerizing vocals.”

He has been fortunate to have performed at The Black Ball Charity in NYC with Alicia Keys and has collaborated with such illustrious musical names as Ndugu Chancler, Ronnie Woods, Usher, Zakir Hussain, Pete Townshend, Will.I.Am, Jay Z and Darryl Jones. His performances and albums include a musical theater with Danish Hussain, which will premiere in April 2019 in New York City. Live performances accompanied by book reading in many Literature festivals for the “Music and Story” book release with author Namita Devidayal on the life of Ustad Vilayat Khan in late fall 2018. He has an ongoing “Art of Sitar” lecture/demonstration on creativity and music. Performance at the famous RIFF festival in October 2018. His group album “Melodic Intersect” has been included in Grammy Ballot for the best World Music Album since 2016 where his music has been praised by The Chase as “Khan’s solo builds the intensity, with quick lines and flurries, leading the ensemble into a climax that is both musically satisfying and leads to the ending statement..”

The ensemble’s recent sold-out concert at the IndoJazz festival at The Jazz at Lincoln Center was “the most eclectic act, the group eschewed slow and steady melodic development for a mercurial pastiche of changing moods and modes” by The NYC Jazz World. The ensemble has garnered a lot of praises, described as a “Giant step forward in the richly growing discography of this cohesive and empathetic ensemble.” By The Jazz world and by SeattlePi as “The result is a world music that soothes and challenges simultaneously.” His solo album “Ziver” was voted “One of the best world music albums of the year”, by MTV music charts and “Beautiful and unconventional to the core” – Midday.

His talent is not restricted to albums and live performances; he has lent his versatility to several film score compositions. He harbors a rare, creative brilliance that effortlessly takes him across all genres and nuances of music and can seamlessly transition from the very classical playing the intricate meands (slides) of the Etawa/Vilayatkhani Gharana to the very colloquial. This is best reflected in The NYC Jazz World’s quote “performing in a style, which, while patently steeped in Hindustani (North Indian) influences, defied facile categorization” and in Jazz Weekly describes his music as “If you want to know true “world music” Khan might do it for you.”

It is not a surprise to know that he is a direct descendant and proponent of one of the most treasured lineages of Eastern classical music. Son of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan, globally acclaimed as the greatest of all sitarists. The London Times aptly describes Hidayat as "the tradition carries on impeccably."

Miral Vaghela
Miral Vaghela, a student of Hindustani Classical Music in Mewati Gharana tradition has been pursuing her musical journey in Pandit Jasraj Institute for Music Research, Artistry and Appreciation, the Mewati Gurukul. Miral feels fortunate to be under the Grace and Chhatra-Chhaya of this Gurukul, and Guruji, Padmashri Honored Pandita Tripti Mukherjee Ji. Under the auspices of her Guruji, she has realized that this journey of learning Music is a life-long journey and a comprehensive process of learning that is not limited to Music, but about life and beyond. Miral is under the able guidance of Adyashree Lalita Mathur Ji as well in the Gurukul.

She believes music is the language of God and connects with the divine in an instant. Music is extremely healing for her and a beautiful way to connect with people, and spread joy and happiness. A proud Mewati, Miral, is inclined towards light classical music such Bhajans and Haveli Sangeet as well. Miral works in the IT industry. Apart from coding and singing, she finds cooking very therapeutic.

Mir Naqibul Islam
Mir Naqibul Islam is a New York based tabla player from “Farukhabad” gharana. Mir has been trained in the traditional guru-shisya style of Indian Classical music from Pt. Ashoke Paul, disciple of the great tabla guru Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh.

Mir presents tabla solo recitals and regularly accompanies vocalists, instrument players, and dancers from the Indian tradition. He also performs regularly with musicians from a wide variety of other genres, bringing tabla to Jazz, Chamber Music, Middle-Eastern music, and other contexts.

He is continuing his talim with the great Farukhabad grandmaster Pt Anindo Chatterjee and Pt Ashoke Paul. His style has also been enriched by training with Pt. Gopal Mishra and Pt. Suresh Talwalkar.

Dibyarka Chatterjee
Dibyarka Chatterjee is the son and disciple of Pandit Samir Chatterjee, and as such represents the Farrukhabad Gharana of tabla playing. He spent his childhood in India where at the age of 7 he was already performing in concerts, as well as on Akaashvani Kolkata (National Radio - Kolkata Station). Upon moving to New York City with his family he has continued to perform regularly with both Indian and Western music. Dibyarka has had the honor and privilege of performing and touring with maestros like Pandit Jasraj, Pdt. Budhhadev DasGupta, Pta. Lakshmi Shankar, Utd. Shujaat Khan to name only a few. He has collaborated in world music projects with groups like the Dance Theater of Harlem, the Battery Dance Co., and with fusion musicians/composers like Salman Ahmad (Junoon), Douglas Cuomo, Gary Lucas & Najma Akhtar amongst others.

Dibyarka has a Masters in Fine Arts from Goddard College (VT). His academic pursuits mainly focused on the history, theory, and philosophy of Indian Classical Music, and in this he has received guidance from some of the most respected musicologists in India. As a guest lecturer Dibyarka regularly conducts classes and workshops at numerous institutions such as Columbia University, Dartmouth College, New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Ithaca College etc. He has been teaching tabla extensively in the NY & NJ area for more than a decade, and is affiliated with many of the institutions that promote Indian Classical Music and Dance. Dibyarka is a recipient of the 2017 Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant in honor of Charlotte White.

Leo Gibbs