Akshara Music Ensemble in Greenwich on May 11

The Greenwich Arts Council in Partnership with The India Cultural Center of Greenwich Presents Akshara Music Ensemble on Friday, May 11 in the GAC Meeting Room

The Greenwich Arts Council in partnership with the India Cultural Center of Greenwich announces Akshara Music Ensemble on the evening of Friday, May 11 at 7 pm.

The evening will explore the crossroads between the traditional and the contemporary of India classical music. Carnatic musician, composer, and educator Bala Skandan formed Akshara Music Ensemble in 2008. Skandan's original music expresses classical Carnatic (South Indian) ragas and talas through the forms of world music, jazz improvisation, and modern composition, creating music as dynamic and diverse as New York City itself.

With an instrumentation ranging from hammered dulcimer, violins, and cello to mridangam, kanjira, and bansuri, Akshara's music utilizes a broad sonic palette that highlights its members' backgrounds in Carnatic, Hindustani, Western Classical, and Folk music. Through agile melody, propulsive percussion, and energetic ensemble interplay, they craft a hybrid music of uncommon beauty and rigor. Akshara has presented work sponsored by some of New York's leading arts institutions and music venues, including The Rubin Museum of Art, Lyric Chamber Music Society, Cornelia St. Café and Rockwood Music Hall.

In addition to their musical performances, Akshara is active in composing and performing new music to accompany classical dance productions, teaching workshops and master-classes to music students, and bringing the richness of Indian classical traditions to audiences of initiates and neophytes alike.

The tickets for the event are $ 35 A Pre-Concert Cocktail Reception is scheduled for 6:30 followed by the concert at 7pm.

To purchase tickets please go to iccgreenwich.org For more information please visit: www.greenwichartscouncil.org or call 203.862.6754