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Musician Mahesh Kale kicked off the second performance of his month-long “Swarotsav” concert tour in the U.S. on March 18 in Santa Clara, CA, at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Presented by the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA), founded by Kale and wife Purva Gujar-Kale, the concert included Indian musicians Vibhav Khandolkar (Tabla), Omkar Dalvi (Pakhawaj), Rajiv Tambe (Harmonium), Anay Gadgil (Keyboards), Apurv Dravid (Percussions), and Mandar Wadkar (Sound).
Kale started the sold-out concert with the raag jhinjhoti, telling the audience that while he had not performed the raag in sometime, he wanted to make himself “vulnerable” and “share the experience” and “discover” with audience together.
Here are some photos of the event, including a behind-the-scenes look!
Nishka Awasthi mehendi stamps attendees the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) “Swarotsav” concert by Mahesh Kale at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. The mehendi stamps include the ICMA logo in the center. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Smita Patole gets mehendi stamped on her hand at the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) “Swarotsav” concert by Mahesh Kale at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
A collective art project sits in the lobby for attendees to paint with gold daubs at the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) “Swarotsav” concert by Mahesh Kale at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
A garlanded Ganesh statue sits on stage at the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) “Swarotsav” concert by Mahesh Kale at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Students of Mahesh Kale chat backstage at his Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) “Swarotsav” concert at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Mahesh Kale backstage before his “Swarotsav” concert for the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Madhav, a student of Mahesh Kale, plays strums the tanpura backstage before Kale’s “Swarotsav” concert for the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Mahesh Kale interacts with students and family backstage before his “Swarotsav” concert for the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Mahesh Kale backstage before his “Swarotsav” concert for the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Musicians Apurv Dravid, Vibhav Khandolkar and Omkar Dalvi on stage for Mahesh Kale’s “Swarotsav” concert for the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Mahesh Kale sings on stage with orchestra and students for his “Swarotsav” concert for the Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation (ICMA) at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. on Mar. 18, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.