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Sitar Duet at the Indian Embassy

The Embassy of India in Berlin will host three major artists who will perform Indian Classical Music on the sitar and tabla

November 11th, 2016
Veronica Barbiero, News from Berlin
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The “Sitar” is one of the oldest musical instruments existing. The Embassy of India in Berlin will have the honour to host three notable artists, Pandit Debaprasad Chakraborty, Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty and Ashis Paul, who will perform using this unique and ancient South Asian instrument. 

The word “sitar” comes from the Persian “sehtar”, which means “three-stringed”. The sitar is in fact a stringed instrument, very popular in Northern India, but also in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The instrument became ingreasingly popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, and became known in its current form during the 18th century. It appears to descend from the long-necked lutes brought to India from Central Asia. Today the sitar is the dominant instrument in “Hindustani” music, one of the main types of South Asian classical music.

The Embassy of India in Berlin will host a “Sitar Duet” on November 7th at 6pm. The event will be open to the public, with a maximum capacity of 200 guests.

The three artists are among the main exponents of Indian classical music. Pandit Debaprasad Chakraborty is an acclaimed musician who has performed widely in India and abroad for more than twenty years. He is currently placed in the highest rated category of sitarists (A-top) by the All India Radio. Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty has been performing in national and international concerts for the past 15 years. His music has been appreciated widely and honoured with prestigious awards, including the Dover Lane Award for Best Instrumentalist and a National Scholarship from the Govt. of India. Ashis Paul will play the “tabla”, a percussion instrument similar to bongos. He performs around the world as a soloist and as an accompanist with different musicians. He has also had the rare honour of performing at the Sydney Opera House.

This will be a unique occasion for music lovers to come into contact with a new musical style and the ancient Indian culture.

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News from Berlin