In 2022, Priyanka Apte-Sathe and Snehal Katre founded Kalāpi, an organization dedicated to showcasing India’s classical, folk, and contemporary art forms in North America. Kalāpi launched its Rising Stars initiative in 2024 to promote emerging Indian classical artists. The series aims to discover and nurture top-tier talent within North America, offering young artists a stage to demonstrate their brilliance and build meaningful connections.
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Unlike traditional platforms that primarily feature established maestros from India, Rising Stars focuses on young artists who are passionate about Indian classical art but often lack opportunities to perform. The series provides them with a prestigious stage and the recognition and experience needed to further their artistic journeys.
The February 2025 concert showcased the versatility of three young musicians: Rohan Upamaka, Hriday Buddhdev, and Aryan Prakash. Upamaka and Buddhdev performed as a vocalist and sarod player, respectively, and also accompanied each other on tabla, while Prakash accompanied on the harmonium.
Kalāpi plans to expand Rising Stars into an annual or biannual tradition, eventually bringing it to various cities across North America, both live and virtually. The organization’s commitment to preserving and advancing Indian classical arts is evident in the Rising Stars initiative, which ensures that these art forms continue to thrive on a global stage and inspire future generations.
Follow Kalāpi on Instagram and Facebook. This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool, and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.