17 December 2024/
A DAY OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC AT HAMMOND MUSEUM
On a crisp Saturday, December 7th, the serene setting of the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden came alive with the enchanting sounds of Indian classical music. The day was a blend of learning and soulful performances, starting with a free workshop from 2 to 4 PM. Renowned sitar artist Pandit Indrajit Banerjee and tabla maestro Nitin Mitta guided eager learners through the intricacies of their craft. As the sun began to set, the garden transformed into a concert venue from 5 to 7 PM. Talented young student performer Stefan Dutta on Sarod, accompanied by Raj Kumar Chattopadhyay on tabla, serenaded the audience with his soulful tunes. The evening culminated with a mesmerizing performance by Pandit Indrajit Banerjee, with Nitin Mitta on tabla. All immersed themselves in this unique cultural experience, making memories to cherish forever.
ENCHANTING CLASSICAL PROGRAMME AT HAMMOND MUSEUM
Earlier, on August 11, 2024, an enchanting classical music programme was held at the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem, New York.
The event was extremely well received by a diverse and enthusiastic audience, thanks to the generous support from ArtsWestchester.
“My project, in partnership with the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden, North Salem, NY is a sequence of three day-long events each year in which an accomplished and experienced Indian Classical Musician offers an educational workshop to teach and demonstrate to the general public aspects of this rich tradition,” said artist Satyaki Dutta, the organiser of the Programme.
Renowned Sarod artist Satyaki Dutta, also shared that the project involves three day-long events each year, featuring educational workshops and performances by accomplished Indian Classical musicians. Local students and young performers also receive instruction and perform. In 2025, the programme plans to include students from the “Opportunity Music Project”, fostering an inclusive community through music.
SATYAKI DUTTA: A MAESTRO’S JOURNEY
Renowned Sarod artist Satyaki Dutta had the privilege of learning from legendary Sarod maestro Padmabhushan Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta of the Senia-Shahjahanpur Gharana. He began his musical journey under Sri Panab Naha and continued his studies with Sitar virtuoso Pandit Sugato Nag and Ustad Irfan Muhammad Khan. Satyaki, who holds a PhD in Mathematics, resides in Westchester County, New York. He is a member of the Westchester Musicians’ Guild and a roster artist at NYC-based Concerts in Motion. Satyaki has received several grants, including the ArtsAlive 2021 and 2024 Artists’ Grant from ArtsWestchester and the 2023 NYSCA Support for Artists Grant, with which he presented ‘The Raga Experience’ project to raise awareness of Raga Music among Indian and global audiences.
THE HAMMOND MUSEUM AND JAPANESE STROLL GARDEN: A CULTURAL OASIS
Founded in 1957 by Natalie Hays Hammond, the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden aims to foster cultural understanding, particularly between Eastern and Western cultures. This non-profit organization offers a variety of visual and performance art programs, alongside educational classes and exhibitions with a vision to connect to an inclusive world community through art and nature. A standout feature is the serene Japanese Stroll Garden, spanning 3 ½ acres and showcasing rare Japanese plants and trees, as well as native Westchester species.
