Sunday, September 8, 2024
9:00 AM

Morning Meditation & Concert for Peace with Jaipur Literature Festival Houston
Pay What You Can $15-25, general admission chair seating

In collaboration with Jaipur Literature Festival Houston, the Rothko Chapel hosts Indian classical duet Pandit Shubhendra Rao on sitar and Maestro Saskia Rao on Indian cello; accompanied by Subroto Bhattacharya on tabla, alongside youth poets from Faye School for a contemplative morning meditation on peace and the environment. The event will be followed by light bites on the Plaza. 

About the presenters
A protégé of Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar, Pandit Shubhendra Rao is described as “not only as a master of his instrument but also as a thinking musician, constantly endeavouring to carry his instrument beyond conventional boundaries.” Critics and connoisseurs hail him as a worthy successor to his Guru’s tradition. His relentless service in promoting Indian music has made him a highly respected figure in the field of music and education across the world.

Musician and author Saskia Rao-de Haas is hailed as a pioneer for creating and introducing her own instrument, the Indian Cello to Indian Classical music. Flute Maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia speaks of his disciple Saskia as “someone who has been taught by God.” Critics and audiences alike have praised her for artistic depth and technical virtuosity. She has also authored India’s first ever music curriculum Sangeet4All and over 60,000/ children have been influenced by this unique curriculum. Her latest book on Indian music history, Shāstra, was recently released at the Asia Societies in New York and Houston as a part of JLF USA.

About the observance
This event is held in observance of International Day of Peace which takes place annually on September 21st. Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a global culture of peace.