Sierra Madre Playhouse Presents Indian Classical Music Virtuosos, 4/4

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse deepens its connection to Indian classical traditions with a program featuring violinist Arun Ramamurthi, percussionist Nirmal Narayan, and tabla master Vivek Chellappa performing music rooted in both south Indian Carnatic tradition and north Indian Hindustani practices on Saturday, April 4, 2026, 4:00 PM, at the historic venue.

The concert includes classical ragas that begin with extended melodic development (alap), move into rhythmic composition (gat), and culminate in energetic improvisation and interplay. The artists, steeped in tradition and deeply respectful of the classical forms – while also skilled across a range of other musical genres – bring to life the subtle world of Indian classical music with its microtonal inflections, shifting moods, and spontaneous responses between players, infusing it with creative openness.

Ramamurthi, who is noted for merging rigorous classical technique with improvisational breadth, studied under the celebrated violinist brothers Sri Mysore Nagaraj and Dr. Mysore Manjunath, the distinguished violinist Sri Ananthakrishnan, and Western classical violinist Jim Mate. 

Narayan, a disciple of the eminent mridangam maestro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, is recognized for his virtuosity in rhythmic accompaniment and deep commitment to the classical idiom of Indian rhythm.

Chellappa began studying mridangam, an ancient double-sided, South Indian barrel drum, at age six, under Sri R. Kannan, who hails from the style of Sri Palani Subramania Pillai. He was also taught by Sri Anoor Dattatreya Sharama of Bangalore, Sri Srinath Bala of Jayamangala, and Kalaimamani Guruvayur Sri Dorai.

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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Program Items

Hindustani music

Performers

Arun Ramamurthi violin
Nirmal Narayan percussion
Vivek Chellappa harmonium or melodic accompaniment

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.