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Violinist Arun Ramamurthi, Percussionist Nirmal Narayan and Tabla Player Vivek Chellappa Provide Unique Twist on Indian Classical Music
(Sierra Madre, CA – February 27, 2026) Sierra Madre Playhouse deepens its connection to Indian classical traditions with a program featuring violinist Arun Ramamurthi, percussionist Nirm
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.
ABOUT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE
Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), the performing arts center has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts centers presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics’ Choice honors. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theater to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.
EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
WHAT:
Sierra Madre Playhouse Presents Hindustani Music @ the Playhouse: Ramamurthi, Narayan, and Chellappa
ARTISTS:
Arun Ramamurthi, violin
Nirmal Narayan, percussion
Vivek Chellappa, tabla, harmonium or melodic accompaniment
PROGRAM:
Hindustani music
WHEN:
Saturday, April 4, 4:00 PM
WHERE:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
TICKETS AND INFORMATION: