Violinist Indradeep Ghosh, Cellist Chris Votek, Tabla Virtuoso Neelamjit Dhillon Present Traditional Hindustani Music

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

A trio of trailblazing musicians featuring violinist Indradeep Ghosh, cellist Chris Votek, and tabla player Neelamjit Dhillon present traditional ragas on Sunday, June 14, 2026, 4:00 PM, at Sierra Madre Playhouse. The concert, a meeting of strings and rhythm at the confluence of Hindustani classical tradition and Western chamber sensibility, offers a rare opportunit to experience the string-based voice of Indian classical music and its modern articulation.

Ghosh’s evocative violin lines, Votek’s cello voice in dialog, and Dhillon’s tabla cycles create both foundation and spark. Their extraordinary vision for music-making is rooted in a profound respect for tradition and a keen desire to expand musical horizons through the seamless interaction of tradition and innovation. The result is an immersive musical journey that invites listeners to follow unfolding sound and shifting textures.

Ghosh leads the trio with a violin modified to blend the tonal richness of Hindustani raga and sympathetic-string resonance, inviting deep expressive explorations of melody and tone. Votek is one of very few cellists in the world fluent in the language of Hindustani music; his work adapts the vocal- style (gayaki-ang) vocabulary of raga to the cello with striking clarity and emotional power. Dhillon anchors the ensemble on the tabla with rhythmic virtuosity, guiding the music’s unfolding shape with subtlety, depth and drive.

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:
Organization:
Genres:
Categories:
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$35

Performers

Indradeep Ghosh violin
Chris Votek cello
Neelamjit Dhillon tabla

Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

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

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.