The Professional Concert Series was created by Ra-Ve to provide support and opportunity to local artists to perform a full length Indian dance or music concert. In 2022, the series created a new event called “Yuva Utsav” or Youth Festival to focus on providing a platform for Indian origin youth artists in the US to perform full length, ticketed concerts. This series allows Ra-Ve to help local artists expand their horizons beyond the Northwest Arkansas region and to bring budding talent to our region to inspire our local artists and students.
This year, we are thrilled to present "Panchami", a musically captivating Indian performance that showcases our local talents' exceptional artistry. This unique music production elaborates on the concept of “five” or pancham, by including five artists and five pieces of music amongst others. The fifth note of the solphage is also called “pancham” or simply “pa”.
This collaboration brings together talent from across multiple cultural regions, creating an unforgettable evening of melody and rhythm. Experience the artistry of these performers as they combine the sounds of vocal, flute, violin, drums, and mridangam in a dynamic and soulful concert.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (90-minute performance)
Venue: Music Depot, 206 W Walnut Street, Rogers, AR 72756
Tickets:
$15 for Ra-Ve members/Students/Seniors/Military
$20 General Admission
Consider a donation to support this platform
Free vegetarian snack included
Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation’s mission is to share and celebrate traditional Indian performing arts with the Northwest Arkansas community. Through real world experiences, inspiring performances, community showcases, classes, food, or jam sessions the Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation sponsors events, provides education, and offers training in the arts and culture of India.
For more information please write to [email protected] Thank you!
Artist Info
Violin and Arrangement: Kartik Balachandran is a versatile violinist with over 30 years of global performance experience spanning Carnatic and Western classical music. Trained under Smt. Dhanadevi Mitradeva and Sri K. Sivaraman, he holds a diploma from the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society and the title Vadya Visharad. Kartik has performed as a soloist and accompanist in Singapore, the U.S., Australia, India, and beyond, including collaborations with the Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir. A prominent figure in Northwest Arkansas, he regularly performs at events like Sapthaswara and at venues such as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Walton Arts Center. In addition to his performances, Kartik has been teaching violin for over 20 years, mentoring students to excel in solo arangetram concerts. When not immersed in music, he serves as a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, balancing his academic and artistic pursuits.
Vocal: Sarada Karthik, a disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan, is a highly accomplished Carnatic vocalist with over 30 years of experience. Known for her mellifluous, Bhava-laden performances, she has graced prestigious stages, including Chennai’s Margazhi season and esteemed venues across India and the U.S. As the founder of the Ranjani School of Music, Sarada has nurtured students who excel in competitions and festivals like the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana. A recipient of the DroneAcharya award, she is a passionate performer and dedicated teacher, enriching the Carnatic music community worldwide.
Flute: Nikola Radan, a visionary flautist and composer, has spent over 30 years bridging musical genres and world traditions to find harmony across cultures. Renowned for his innovative flute techniques, Nikola’s signature sound blends global influences, earning acclaim in his solo and group projects. Founder of BalMus and co-founder of projects like Clash of Civilizations and Blue Thread, he has composed music for award-winning films and documentaries. Nikola’s work, featured in numerous albums and performed internationally, continues to inspire, with his music available on major streaming platforms.
Drums: Anthony Ball is a dynamic musician, promoter, and educator based in Northwest Arkansas, with a rich history of nationwide tours and collaborations with renowned artists such as The Platters, Montell Jordan, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Fred Hammond. As the founder of Smoothman Music Productions, Anthony specializes in luxury entertainment for corporate events, festivals, and weddings. Passionate about promoting Black art and culture, he co-founded Music Moves, a nonprofit dedicated to education and performance. Beyond his musical endeavors, Anthony is committed to empowering others through entrepreneurship and high-profile event coordination, driven by his big ideas and even bigger heart.
Mridangam: Vishaak, a 9th grader from Oklahoma City, has been passionate about percussion since the age of 6, studying Mridangam under Dr. Rohan Krishnamurthy. His musical journey has earned him accolades, including 1st place at the National Saptami festival in 2018 and his Arangetram in 2022. A founding member of the classical music collective "Raaga Rhythm," Vishaak is known for his performances across the U.S. and India, including at the Margazhi Music Festival in Chennai and the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana. In addition to Mridangam, he is skilled in piano, Western percussion, and drums, and is excited to return to Arkansas for the Ra-Ve Professional Series.
