Sierra Madre Playhouse Presents Indian Classical Music Virtuosos, 4/4 at Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse deepens its connection to Indian classical traditions with a program featuring violinist Arun Ramamurthi, percussionist Nirmal Narayan, and tabla master Vivek Chellappa performing music rooted in both south Indian Carnatic tradition and north Indian Hindustani practices on Saturday, April 4, 2026, 4:00 PM, at the historic venue.

The concert includes classical ragas that begin with extended melodic development (alap), move into rhythmic composition (gat), and culminate in energetic improvisation and interplay. The artists, steeped in tradition and deeply respectful of the classical forms – while also skilled across a range of other musical genres – bring to life the subtle world of Indian classical music with its microtonal inflections, shifting moods, and spontaneous responses between players, infusing it with creative openness.

Ramamurthi, who is noted for merging rigorous classical technique with improvisational breadth, studied under the celebrated violinist brothers Sri Mysore Nagaraj and Dr. Mysore Manjunath, the distinguished violinist Sri Ananthakrishnan, and Western classical violinist Jim Mate. 

Narayan, a disciple of the eminent mridangam maestro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, is recognized for his virtuosity in rhythmic accompaniment and deep commitment to the classical idiom of Indian rhythm.

Chellappa began studying mridangam, an ancient double-sided, South Indian barrel drum, at age six, under Sri R. Kannan, who hails from the style of Sri Palani Subramania Pillai. He was also taught by Sri Anoor Dattatreya Sharama of Bangalore, Sri Srinath Bala of Jayamangala, and Kalaimamani Guruvayur Sri Dorai.

For tickets ($12-$35) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.