Renowned Sitarist Rajib Karmakar Presents Hindustani Music at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 6/22

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Internationally recognized sitarist Rajib Karmakar, who has collaborated with music legend Herb Alpert and Coldplay’s Chris Martin and is hailed for infusing classical Hindustani music with his unique global musical perspective, is showcased in a matinee program on Sunday, June 22, 2025, 4:00 pm, at Sierra Madre Playhouse. 

Widely known by his stage name SITARRAJIB, Rajib has also performed with Beck, Sugar Blue, and Wu Tong as well as the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Atlanta Master Chorale, Detroit Symphony, Spire Ensemble, and such major media houses as Sony, Universal, and Disney. His work in films, including Basmati Blues and Murder Mystery 2, showcases his versatility across diverse musical genres. As an educator, Rajib has influenced the next generation of musicians through residencies at esteemed institutions worldwide, including Brandeis University, Harvard University, Butler University, the University of Waterloo, Dartmouth College, UCLA, and the California Institute of the Arts. 

Rajib began his musical training at age four under the guidance of his father, Pandit Durgadas Karmakar. His early education was enriched by studying classical vocal music with Ustad Ghulam Akbar Khan of the Rampur Sahsawan Gharana and the Beenkar style of sitar playing with Pandit Ramdas Chakravarty of the Senia Gharana. 

For tickets ($12-$35) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
Classical
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$35
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
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Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
United States

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Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 

Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), it has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. 

 

The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. In 2023, Rep. Judy Chu named the Sierra Madre Playhouse as a leading ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ in the San Gabriel Valley. The playhouse was given the honor during the 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards, which recognizes the leadership and volunteerism in the cities making up California’s 28th Congressional District. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

 

Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.