Many of us have heard Indian classical music. But to experience it in an all-encompassing way
that touches everyone from connoisseurs to casual listeners – now that is something unique!
Such a soul-stirring musical extravaganza is exactly what ICMA plans to bring you on Saturday,
September 16th at the Flint Center in Cupertino.
A recent recipient of the National Film Award, world-renowned vocalist and Bay Area resident
Mahesh Kale, has endearingly been called the “unlikely rock star.” His soulful performances
reflect an earnest reverence for the purity of the Indian classical music tradition while embracing
experimentation, technology, and youthfulness. The Stanford Jazz Festival called him a
“worldwide phenomenon, beloved for his enchanting, reverberant voice and his unique ability to
interweave classical and popular music.”
Kale is a disciple of the legendary vocalist Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki. He has received numerous
music honors and has been performing worldwide for years, alongside world-class musicians
including Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, and George Brooks. In 2015, Kale sang playback
for the protagonist in the Indian box-office hit musical film “Katyar Kaljat Ghusli” for which he
received the prestigious National Award from the President of India. Talking about the upcoming
show, Kale says, “The Bay Area has been my home for the last 12 years, and this will be my
first solo concert here since receiving the National Award. It means a lot to me… this is where a
lot of my creative endeavors have taken place and I’m excited for this homecoming. It’s an
opportunity to share my joy with the people from whom I’ve gotten so much unconditional love
and support.”
While maintaining a rigorous concert schedule, pursuing creative projects, and creating an
international footprint for his music, Kale has been teaching Indian classical music in the Bay
Area since 2005, serving as an inspiration to an active and motivated student body of over 200.
This event is brought to you by Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA). To purchase
tickets, visit www.icmafoundation.org. Seats are assigned, 20% early bird discount available through August 27 using promo code “ICMA.”