Contact: Maridith Geuder
A much-traveled performer of classical Indian music will give a free concert Thursday [Sept. 24] at Mississippi State University.
Kartik Seshadri's selections for sitar begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Bettersworth Auditorium of Giles Hall.
A popular stringed instrument of the Indian subcontinent, the sitar features a small pear-shaped body made from a seasoned gourd and a long, broad fretted neck constructed of teakwood. Dating back more than 700 years, the instrument has seven metal strings extending over movable frets and two concealed strings that provide a continuous singing drone.
Mark Applebaum, assistant professor of music education at MSU, will accompany Seshadri on the four-stringed tambura.
Seshadri, who has studied and performed extensively with sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, is associated with the University of California, San Diego. A Shankar disciple since 1974, he was invited to perform at Shankar's 75th birthday celebration in 1995.
His performances include a traditional raga, or melody around which he improvises. As much as 90 percent of Indian classical music may be improvised.
In addition to concerts throughout India, Seshadri has been featured at New York's Lincoln Center and other major concert halls, as well as at the Vancouver Jazz and other leading music festivals.
His MSU concert is co-sponsored by the music education department, Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, MSU Honors Program, Music Makers Productions, International Services Office, and Indian Student Association.
For more information, contact the music education office at (601) 325-3070.