Free Concert at Rice University on 9/24: Celebrate 24 Years of Rice Radio’s Navrang Show

HOUSTON: KTRU Rice radio turns 50 this year and its most admired specialty show Navrang celebrates 24 years.

Indian music on mainstream American network resonates with the progressive and innovative feature of Rice University’s, Rice radio’s ethos. Broadcasting Indian music on mainstream media with other music genres offered Houston’s eclectic music lovers an exclusive opportunity to satiate their exotic music taste at home. Navrang – the nine colors or nine emotions of Indian music is a household name among Houston’s elite American audience.

Rice radio presents a South Asian music concert “Fantasy of Exotic Drums – Tala Mahotsav” on Saturday, September 24, 5-7pm, Grand Hall, Rice University. Doors open at 4:30pm. This is a free concert with free parking at West Lot 1 and is open to all.  Meet and Greet with artists is from 7-8pm. Interaction with the artists will be hosted with free Indian Vegetarian food provided by ISKCON Houston.  The Guests of Honor are classical music composer and Rice University faculty Karim Al-Zand and Avant-Garde Musician SPIKE the Percussionist.

The vision to offer a platform to talented local artists is Rice radio’s Navrang show director, Varsha Vakil’s forte. Varsha joined Rice radio in 2008 and has worked diligently towards South Asian artists to receive the much needed platform especially to reach the mainstream American audience.

Varsha’s perseverance and sincere efforts are greatly applauded by Houston’s artists. She has made a name among the South Asian community with her fortitude, simplicity and modesty. The ‘Fantasy of Exotic Drums’ concert showcases: Ajay Subramanian, Ali Tarkesh Esfahani, Anindita Ray, Biplab Samadder, Dholi Toki Singh, Jasmeeta Singh, Justin Lasiewicz, Krishna Sharma, Matt Legg, Neethi Nayak, Raja Banga, Saugat Aryal, Sunit Pradhan and artists from Panchari Arts Forum, ISKCON Houston and the Tagore Society of Houston Youth Symphony.

Grand sponsors are ISKCON Houston, Discount Power, Jugal Malani and Deep Foods. Other sponsors are Imagine A Museum, Heartfulness, Sewa International, India Culture Center, Daya, West University Area Democratic Club, Britannia, Hindus of Greater Houston, Indian American Cancer Network and the Gujarati Samaj of Houston.