Shadaj’s mission is to cultivate, nurture and promote Indian Classical Music in its most authentic form through intimate concerts, and music appreciation sessions, as a platform for cultural integration and community outreach.
Shadaj events feature some of the world’s most revered and celebrated Indian classical virtuosos. Shadaj aspires to preserve and nurture a rich classical music heritage that, over centuries, has drawn together people of diverse traditions through community outreach and cultural integration.
A unique feature of a great Hindustani classical music concert is that the overall experience depends not only upon the virtuosity of the artist but also upon the quality of the appreciative audience. The objective of Shadaj is to host memorable “Baithak” style (Chamber music style) Indian classical music concerts of the highest quality in their authentic form and to cultivate a community of good active listeners.
Shadaj is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded and operated by a group of volunteers from the greater Boston area.
Activities
- Baithak Style Music Concerts: In an intimate Baithak setting, the artist and the audience experience the music together, and the performance can reach great heights, an experience often lost in large halls. In a calendar year, the Shadaj-Baithak series typically comprises of around 6-8 concerts and music appreciation sessions.
- Music appreciation sessions, lecture-demonstrations, and dialogue with the artist: Indian classical music is as much about the artist’s imagination as it is about the exchange of musical experience between the audience and the artist. Shadaj aspires to cultivate a community of music connoisseurs, active listeners, and students of music. Most Shadaj concerts are preceded by a music appreciation session where the audience gets exposure to the intricacies of music in a unique interactive session with the artist.
- Open Mic Sessions: This is a platform for the local talent comprising amateur musicians and advanced students of music to showcase their creative side. Great way to learn music and build an active community of music students and listeners.
- Community outreach and Cultural Integration through music: Cultural exchange through music is a great way to build our community and serve the next generation. The outreach events encourage the participation of students and communities from diverse cultural backgrounds. Shadaj collaborates with several local community organizations (ex. Berklee School of Music, Lexington Symphony, Lexington Community Education, Lexington Public Library, New England School of Music, MITHAS at MIT, Massachusetts Cultural Council, IAGB and IAL) to promote the rich traditions of the Indian classical music. We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and partners by breaking down the financial barriers to cultural programming. Shadaj events are free to EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders and students with valid ID. To secure a seat, qualifying attendees need to RSVP“