The Sensory Experiences of Indian Music
A Chhandayan Production
Out of a three-week residency

Supported by the New York State Council on the Arts

Steve Gorn (bansuri)
Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli (Voice)
Vinay Desai (Santoor)
Samir Chatterjee (Tabla)
Priyanka Tope (Dance)
Adam Taylor (light design)
Sharv Dave (Scientific research)

Prakriti – Nature
Samay – Time
Rasa – Essence, Emotion, Mood

You are warmly invited to an immersive performance of sound, silence, and sensorial depth to be presented by Chhandayan at Shanti Mandir, 51 Muktananda Drive, Walden NY 12586, Sunday July 20 at 4pm.

This presentation will mark the culmination of our three-week residency on The Sensory Experiences of Indian Music, graciously supported by the New York State Council on the Arts. During these three weeks, we have been exploring the affects of Indian music through  sensory integration.

We would like to share the essence of our probe in a 90-minute multi-sensory performance, followed by space for reflections, and a shared dinner with the artists.

To honor the subtlety of this offering, we kindly request that guests:

• Arrive 30 minutes early to settle into the quietness of the space,

• Avoid socializing upon arrival, and embrace a gentle, inward presence,

• Arrive fresh, free from odor or fragrance,

• Arrive free from lingering taste in the palate,

• Wear white cotton or natural-fiber clothing — soft textures that invite stillness and allow sound to be absorbed rather than deflected,

• Refrain from the use of mobile phones and similar devices, for any purpose and adding sound to the performance,

• Participate in a post-performance online survey/feedback.

Because of the nature of the performance, it cannot be streamed. Please do not expect any spoken words to precede the performance.   

This won't be just a performance; it is expected to be an attunement — of inner and outer worlds, of breath and vibration — a shared field of resonance.

Admission is free, but space is limited.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to info@chhandayan.org as soon as possible so we can plan for seating and attendance. Please wait for a reply from us.

Music as a Multisensory Experience

Music has a remarkable ability to engage multiple senses simultaneously, creating a rich, holistic sensory experience. Auditory stimulation combines with physical movement and emotional response to activate diverse pathways in the brain. Beyond the auditory system, music engages tactile, visual, and proprioceptive senses, offering a dynamic and layered sensory input.

One of music’s unique strengths lies in its ability to influence how we process sensory information. The steady rhythms and repetitive structures found in music help coordinate and organize sensory input—especially beneficial for individuals with sensory processing challenges. Music provides a predictable and structured environment, supporting self-regulation, attention, and focus. It can also help modulate levels of alertness, making it easier to adapt to various sensory stimuli.

Benefits of Music in Sensory Integration

Music offers a wide range of benefits when integrated into sensory-based practices. Its ability to engage multiple senses simultaneously makes it a powerful tool for enhancing sensory processing, motor development, emotional regulation, and social connection.

One of the primary benefits is improved sensory processing. Music helps the brain organize and interpret sensory information more effectively. Music also supports the development of motor skills. Musical activities promote coordination, balance, and fine and gross motor control.

Rhythmic movement reinforces sensorimotor pathways and encourages physical engagement. In addition, music fosters emotional and social growth. It provides a safe space for emotional exploration and self-expression, which promotes emotional awareness and regulation.

Participating in group music therapy encourages social interaction, cooperation, turn-taking, and nonverbal communication, helping individuals build confidence and connection.

One of music’s key strengths is its ability to regulate sensory experiences. Elements like rhythm, tempo, and dynamics can influence levels of arousal and attention. Calming music can reduce anxiety and overstimulation, while upbeat, rhythmic music can promote alertness and focus. Through guided music therapy, individuals can learn strategies to better manage their sensory environment.

In essence, music is a transformative force in sensory integration. It not only nurtures the senses but also empowers individuals to regulate their emotions, express themselves, and engage more fully with the world around them.

To effectively use music for sensory processing improvement, it is important to create a sensory-friendly environment. This includes using soundproofing materials, adjusting volume levels, and selecting appropriate types of music based on individual needs and sensitivities.

Incorporating music into daily routines can also be beneficial. For instance, playing calming music during mealtimes or baths can create a soothing atmosphere and reduce stress, particularly for individuals with heightened sensory sensitivity.

Therapeutic listening, rhythmic entrainment, or musical improvisation can be used to target specific sensory challenges. These structured, personalized approaches provide meaningful opportunities for sensory regulation and integration, supporting overall well-being.

Come celebrate Diwali with us in Princeton NJ.

The festival will feature variety of performances of dance and music.. There will be snacks, meal and beverage available for purchase. 

Program:

Welcome
Vocal performance by Aishani Singh, with Maulik Mehta on tabla,
Vocal performance by students of Raag Rang,
Vocal performance by SvarNaad Ensemble,
Tabla Solo - Aditya Joshi,
Chhandayan NJ Tabla Ensemble,
Kathak Demonstration by Sneha Bolisetty,
Panel Discussion by Samir Chatterjee, Hidayat Husain Khan, and Dr. Antonio Merolli,
 
Break

Hidayat Husain Khan - sitar,
Dibyarka Chatterjee - tabla 

Come celebrate Diwali with us in Northern Virginia (near Dulles Airport).

Program:

New York Tabla Ensemble
(Arjun Patel, Vibhaav Sharma, Noelina Arceniegas,
Shwe Than Kyo),
Juilee Joshi (vocal),
New Jersey Tabla Ensemble
(Harshal Joshi, Shiv Sharma, Keyur Thakar, Ishaan Freeman),
Aditya Bala (tabla solo),
Harshal Joshi (vocal),
Abhiraman Senthilkumar (tabla solo), 
Mahilan Guha (tabla solo),
Taarun Ganesh (vocal)
Ramakrishna Gopinath (mridangam)
Vishnu Sreehari (violin),
Brandon Ram (tabla solo)
Kanjonavo Sabud (sitar)
Siddharth Komaragiri (tabla) 

Special attractions: 

Tabla Beats by Siddharth Komaragiri
Vocal Recital: Ms. Sanghamitra Chatterjee,
Manav Khurana (tabla)
Indian Classical Guitar: Suman Laha,
Monir Hussain (tabla).

Chhandayan Diwali Celebration, A Social Event with Music and Food

This year Chhandayan's celebration of Diwali, the festival of light, will be specially dedicated to dispelling darkness. We would also remember and pay homage to the lost souls and celebrate their legacy, particularly from the field of Indian Music.

We invite the entire community to participate in this program by sharing music, dance and food. Please contact us immediately, latest by August 31st, 2021, at info@tabla.org with your willingness and proposal to participate.

Music will be performed by several young aspiring musicians who perform a crucial role in fulfilling Chhandayan’s mission.

Performance 1: Tabla Solo
Aditya Phatak - tabla,
Anish Dharam - harmonium

Performance 2: Regional Songs
Arnav Pofale - Gujrathi song,
Sayli Limaye - Marathi songs,
Gayatri Phatak - Bengali song,
Manav Khuran on tabla with all artists

Performance 3 - Harmonium Solo
Anish Dharram - harmonium,
Neel Khare on tabla

Performance 4 - Classical vocal
Ayan Rivu Sinha - vocal
Aditya Phatak - tabla
Anis Dharam - harmonium

Performance 5 - Jazz Ensemble
William Schetelich (trumpet), Aditya Phatak (tabla), Rikhav Sanjeev (bass), Dana Saba (piano) and Xander Naylor (guitar) will perform ‘To-I-Light’, ‘Set You Free - Come, Dance With Me’ and ‘Dhyan’.

Aditya Phatak is a young student of Indian music, with special aptitude in Tabla. He started playing tabla at the age of two, even before he was tall enough to reach the drums. He was initially inspired by his grandfather Deepak Phatak and guided by his uncle Shivraj Phatak. Since February of 2008, when he was four years old, he came under the loving mentorship of Pt. Samir Chatterjee in the formal Guru-Shishya (master-disciple) relationship. Eleven years into his talim (grooming), through utmost sincerity and diligence, Aditya qualified to make his entry into the field of performance. His music is certainly worth listening to. Aditya has also been studying Hindustani Classical vocal music with Smt. Rucha Jambhekar for the past ten years.

Anish Dharam is 16 years old. He is an 11th grade honors student at J P Stevens high School in Edison, New Jersey. Anish started learning Harmonium and Indian classical music at the age of 7 under the guidance of Shri Hemant Kulkarni, recently he started his music journey with Shri Kedar Naphade. Anish also learns Keyboard under the guidance of Shri Bobby Chatterjee. He has won several music competitions and awards. Anish has performed at many events here in US, also in Pune and Hyderabad in India. Anish has accompanied many renowned artists from US as well as India including Shri Sridhar Phadke, Vidushi Radha Desai, Vidushi Bharathi Prathap to name a few. He is a fellowship award winner from IndianRaga, an Indian-American organization which connects over 3000 artists globally. Anish also sings in choir and has performed in the 2018 and 2020 All Eastern Junior high honor choir and the 2019 National junior high Honor Choir.

Arnav Pofale has been learning Hindustani classical music from the age of 5 from Smt. Pradnya Jadhav Solat who is a disciple of Smt. Arti Ankalikar ji. Arnav is in 7th grade at Iselin Middle School (IMS). Arnav has participated in many local, state level and international level classical and semiclassical competitions and won numerous awards. He has won the Marathi Vishwa Swardhara Competition several times. He has won the New Jersey state award at Meri Awaj Suno competition in 2019. Along with the singing he is also getting Tabla training from his guru Shri. Suryaksh Deshpande. Arnav was selected by Dr. Saleel Kulkarni to sing in the album Abhijaat’s Bhimrupi song. In addition to music, he is a passionate basketball player.

Gayatri Phatak is 13 years old and has been studying Hindusthani classical vocal music for the past seven years from Smt. Rucha Jambhekar. Gayatri has performed at several cultural programs within New Jersey and has also won accolades in the Marathi Vishwa Swar Dhara competition. Outside of classical vocal singing, Gayatri enjoys singing in the school choir, playing saxophone in the jazz band, playing classical piano, and studying jazz, tap, and ballet styles of dance.

Rikhav Sanjeev is an incoming sophomore at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. He has been playing bass guitar for the past 5 years and has played in a few jazz and rock bands, both in and outside of school. He has also been learning Indian classical vocal music from Pt. Samarth Nagarkar for the past 2½ years. Outside of music, he likes playing tennis, watching sports, and spending time with his family.

Sayli Limaye is a sophomore at South Brunswick High School. She has been learning Hindustani Classical vocal music for the past 11 years from Shrimati Rucha Jambhekar and is now also learning under the guidance of Pandit Vijay Koparkar Ji. She has won various awards in Indian Classical music, including at the Gaan-Nipun Spardha held by the Pandit Jasraj Institute in 2016, the yearly Swaradhara Competition held by Marathi Vishwa, Chaitradhun 2020, and The Dream Voice USA 2020. She has a passion for music, and hopes to continue pursuing it in the future. Along with her interests in vocal music, Sayli also enjoys writing poetry and learning violin.

Will Schetelich is a trumpet player that focuses on jazz and improvisation. He has been playing trumpet for 8 years, but has been exposed to music since he can remember. Will grew the most in working with Jazz House, and grew as a trumpet player and musician there. Will loves being active at the gym, reading, and playing chess. He is committed to Montclair University to study music performance and education.

Neil Khare began learning tabla from his father and currently learns from Shri Amod Dandawate. He has received many awards in the Instrumental tabla solo category and has accompanied several artists in the Tri-State area. Besides his musical passion he enjoys playing and coaching basketball. He is 19 years old and is currently a sophomore in college. He looks forward to continuing his passion for tabla and requests for all of your blessings for his future success.

Manav Khurana is 16 years old and has been learning tabla for the past five years. His initial training was under the guidance of Shri Kumar Raj Gandharva, and he subsequently learned from Sabir Hussain of the Punjab Gharana. For the past three years he has been studying with Shri Dibyarka Chatterjee of the Farrukhabad Gharana, who is the son and disciple of Pandit Samir Chatterjee.

Ayan Rivu Sinha, 21, is a disciple of Padma Shri Honored Pandita Tripti Mukherjee-ji and Pandit Rattan Mohan Sharma-ji at the Pandit Jasraj Institute of Music (PJIM) in the USA. Ayan was initiated into Hindustani Classical Music by his mother, Smt. Nidrita Mitra-Sinha at the age of 5, and has been learning Hindustani Classical vocal from PJIM since the age of 9. He has been fortunate to receive special guidance from his Bade Guruji, Sangeet Martand Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj-ji on several occasions and his blessings are always with him. Ayan was born and brought up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. In 2021 he has graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with BS degree in Nutritional Biochemistry and a minor in Chemistry.

Also performing with the young performers is Xander Naylor

Since relocating to New York City, native son Xander Naylor has become increasingly known in experimental circles for ear-opening forays with his eponymous, free-jazz trio. On his solo debut, Notes, the son of noted Vermont secessionist Thomas Naylor applies a similarly unchained approach, fleshing out humble, cyclical instrumental sketches with both caution and whimsy. The result, while even less accessible than his previous trio work, is nonetheless fascinating, and it reveals a genuinely independent and curious mind.

Guitarist Xander Naylor is exploding onto the scene with his work as a solo artist, composer and leader of Xander Naylor Sound Machine. Spinning through a diverse set of scenes, he has found homes in free improv, indie rock, experimental jazz and, through his years of study with tabla maestro Samir Chatterjee, North Indian music. His latest solo album, Arc, creates a stimulating mash-up that is both startling and comforting in today's tumultuous world.

Chhandayan Center for Indian Music in New York City will return to normal operation with this unique program on the significant day of September 11.

This event will bring healing, rejuvenation and well-being through Music, Meditation, light Yoga, accompanied by authentic, nutritious Indian food and beverages.

There will be three sessions of 75 minutes, with a 15 minute break in between.
The 1st session will concentrate on the Immune System,
the 2nd session will be on Agony and Anguish, and
the 3rd session will be on Rest, Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Yoga and Meditation will be guided by RAJASHREE

Music will be provided by Steve Gorn (flute), Sanghamitra Chatterjee (vocal), Abhik Mukherjee (sitar), and Dibyarka Chatterjee (tabla)

All attendees are required to email vaccination documents to info@tabla.org at the time o registration and prior to the event.
Please come prepared to wear masks and follow other protocols as part of COVID safety measures.

Please inform us of any special conditions you may have,
Please wear something white, decent and comfortable,
Please bring your own yoga mat, cushion (if needed),

Beverages will be served during the breaks, and there will be an Indian vegetarian dinner at the end.

Registration is $150, including dinner.
First 100 registrations only.
10% Early bird discount (until August 10th), and on group purchases of 10 and more.