Niladri Kumaar, sitar
Satyajit Talwalkar, tabla
Charlie Lindner, keyboards
Dèmitrio Albano, drums
Maverick instrumentalist and composer Niladri Kumaar is among the most compelling and innovative artists in Indian classical music today. A gifted sitarist, he was an admired collaborator and longtime protegé of the late tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain—appearing multiple times with him at Cal Performances—and their special musical relationship is explored in Sumantra Ghosal’s documentary film The Space Between the Notes. To honor his friend and mentor, Kumaar has created a new ensemble of Indian and North American musicians that will perform a program combining his own original compositions with works that he and Hussain used to play together. “I remain focused on finding my distinct voice within the continuum of luminaries who have shaped Indian classical music,” says the sitarist. “Thus, my creative journey continues, guided by tradition yet open to innovation.”
Patron Sponsors: Dr. Rupali Das-Melnyk and Dr. Ostap Melnyk
Program notes will be available approximately one week before the performance.
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2026–27 Season Guides
Some of you want your mind blown. Some want your heart broken. Some want to see a legend before they stop touring. Whatever brings you through those doors, we’ve built a guide for it. Explore the six patron guides below to find the performances that were made for you!
7:30pm
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2026–27 Season Subscriptions go on sale noon May 5
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