The Sitar Orchestra

An orchestra with 20 sitar students accompanied by tablas, tanpuras and western intstruments.

The Sitar Orchestra is composed and conducted by Pandit Ashok Pathak. The participating students have a learning experience varying from two to twenty years. This ensemble is specially put together to give a tribute to the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Balaram Pathak.

Pandit Balaram Pathak, born on 5 November 1926, was a genius sitar and surbahar player. He gave his debut performance at the age of twelve and soon after he became the court musician in West Bengal. Coming from a family of legendary musicians, he was known for his innovations both in music as well as in techniques. Pandit Balaram Pathak was counted in the top of musicians in Indian classical music, equally like Pt. Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan. He performed extensively in India and abroad. The legend passed away on 15 February 1991.

Pandit Ashok Pathak will dedicate a special recital to his father, accompanied by the tabla. The Sitar Orchestra will perform traditional Pathak Gharana compositions, which are passed on generation to generation. The program also includes a bharatanatyam dance performance by Kimberly, Chirstina & Rachel Baran.