Hindustani Classical Music Baithak at Home (Live Performance + Dinner) — June Edition
Join us for a special evening of Hindustani Classical music in an intimate home setting in Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.
We are warmly inviting you to a rare opportunity: an immersive atmosphere with world-class Indian classical vocalists and musicians in a lovely living room, as it was intended and has been experienced for hundreds of years in South Asia.
Baithak in Hindi or Urdu comes from the word "sitting" — this will be a small, intimate music soiree where everyone is seated together on the floor, both artists and audience right next to one another.
In South Asian households, particularly across India and Pakistan, the baithak was more than a room — it was a ritual of gathering, a theatre of tradition. The baithak was a democratic space — informal yet steeped in etiquette, relaxed yet rich with nuance.
Delicious light Indian food and heavy Bollywood dancing to follow!
Baithak Program
⟢ Dr. Monica Shah, a renowned Indian classical vocalist who is the founder and director of the Aradhana Sangeet Academy in Gujarat, India. Dr. Shah has performed at more than 1,500 concerts, including some of India's premiere music festivals, and has won a number of awards.
⟢In addition to our esteemed headliner, Vinyl Talkies' Akshat Chaturvedi will take us on a journey of Gujarati folk music through his expansive record collection.
Format of the Program — Jugalbandi
The name ‘Jugalbandi’ — which is derived from Urdu and Sanskrit — and means "entwined twins."
The two artists demonstrate chemistry on stage with their understanding of each other’s musical expressions. A vocal and instrumental duet performed in traditional Hindustani (North Indian) classical style, they will be presenting different compositions in different Ragas set to different beat cycles (Taal) and tempo.
The vocals with the string and percussive instruments interact with each other, often resorting to call and responses, to create a dialogue or conversation. This type of interaction is typically the hallmark of a Jugalbandi concert and provides an engrossing and engaging experience for the audience.
The concert usually lasts between 1-2 hours and has an ambience similar to Western chamber music. Requests for performing specific Ragas or compositions will be entertained based on circumstances and the duration of the show.
Important Details
—Light Indian Fare, chit chat socializing and dancing to follow the Baithak! It's gonna be a long, fun evening together.
—This is a small, invite-only evening of friends and family.
Artist Donation: $45 via Venmo. https://venmo.com/u/Nihal-Krishan
Special thanks to Keshavam DC for opening up their wonderful new space to us.
Your Hosts,
Nihal, Jeannie, and Prachi