An Evening of Indian Classical Music in the Logan Gallery

A musical performance by guest artist JOHN PROTOPAPAS, sitar player. Performance features Dr. Anu Sekhri, classical Indian singer, and Dr. Anil Shende on tabla. Mr. Protopapas is resident artist during the week of October 28. His residency is sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts. John Protopapas grew up in South Africa with very little exposure to Eastern cultures and traditions. As a teenager, he had an opportunity to listen to classical Hindustani music and became mesmerized by the instruments and concepts of Indian improvisation. About the same time, je met some Hindu monks and yoga teachers. This deepened his thirst for the traditions of India. At 20 years old, Ihe embarked on a journey first through Greece, where his parents are from, and then to India where he met his two music Gurus, who taught him the wonderful traditions of Indian music on the Sitar ( North Indian lute). At the same time, he developed a practice of yoga and meditation, studying with a variety of teachers. Here in the States, Mr. Protopapas has had the opportunity to teach World Music at York College in Pennsylvania for almost 15 years. As John shares, “My music journey continues, and I love sharing this music tradition through performances and lecture demonstrations.” Mr. Protopapas is resident artist during the week of October 28. His residency is sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts. Dr. Anu Sekhri is a dedicated medical professional with a deep passion for Indian music. She has maintained a strong connection to Hindustani music, nurturing a lifelong love for singing. Dr. Sekhri enjoys performing Indian songs as a way to express creativity and unwind from the demands of the medical profession. Although primarily focused on healthcare, her interest in music has led to participation in local music events, gatherings, and performances, where she shares this talent with friends, family, and the community. Dr. Sekhri believes that music, much like medicine, has the power to heal and bring joy, making it an integral part of her personal life. Dr. Anil Shende is a Professor of Computer Science at Roanoke College. Dr. Shende has been playing the tabla (drums), and over the years, he has enjoyed accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists in Indian classical music performances. Besides accompanying local artists in the Roanoke area, he has had the good fortune of accompanying some prominent artists, including Smt. Girija Devi and Smt. Asha Khadilkar. He was one of the founding members of the organization Roanoke Arts Appreciation Group (RAAG), whose mission it is to promote arts from the Indian subcontinent, including its classical music, in the Roanoke area.