Date: Mar 20, 2007

CLASSICAL SITAR PLAYER ALOKE DASGUPTA TO BRING HIS UNIQUE STYLE TO HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

Concert will also demonstrate role of music in Hinduism

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY - Internationally known musician and teacher Aloke Dasgupta will perform at Hofstra on Monday, March 26, 2007 as part of a Department of Religion course on eastern religions.

Mr. Dasgupta, a sitar player in the North Indian classical style, will appear at the Emily and Jerry Spiegel Theater, South Campus, from 4:30-6 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information call 516-463-5612, or e-mail the Religion Department at religion@hofstra.edu.  

In addition to his performance, Mr. Dasgupta will explain the background to ragas, or melodic modes used in Indian music, and their role in the Hindu religion. Appearing with Mr. Dasgupta is guitarist Don Vitsentzos and tabla player Aditya Banerjee.

While recalling the past greats of sitar, Mr. Dasgupta reveals an awareness of contemporary movements including jazz, new age and world music. Grounded in the maihar gharana of Allauddin Khan, Mr. Dasgupta has assimilated phrasing and tonality from other gharanas (Indian music traditions linked to a particular teacher and style) to pioneer a versatile and original style.

After earning his Master's Degree in ethnomusicology from San Diego State University, Mr. Dasgupta made his debut in 1981 at the New York Folk Festival, where he was introduced by composer/performer David Amram. Since then, he has appeared in concert in Tokyo, Osaka, Paris, Berlin, Frankfort, and in New York at Lincoln Center. Along with his wife, classical vocalist Sanjukta, he runs the Raga Ranjani School of Music in Los Angeles.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students find their edge to succeed in more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 23 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence, cutting edge technology, extensive library resources, internships and special educational programs that appeal to their interests and abilities.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.