Sacred Winds: When Hindustani Classical Music Met Soulful Jazz

Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation presented the Sacred Winds: A Fusion of Hindustani Classical Music and Jazz on Friday, September 19, 2025, at The Record in Bentonville, Arkansas. As the sun set over the Ozarks, music lovers gathered to experience an extraordinary collaboration between three world-class musicians: Pt. Subhen Chatterjee (tabla), Jesse Bannister (saxophone), and Soumyajyoti Ghosh (flute). Each of these musicians brought with them a remarkable legacy and artistic journey. 

Pandit Subhen Chatterjee, a tabla virtuoso and disciple of Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri, has performed with luminaries such as Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Vidushi Girija Devi, Ustad Rashid Khan, and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Trained in the Lucknow Gharana, his style blends the grace of tradition with dynamic influences from across the world. As the founder of the world music ensemble Karma, Subhenji has been honored with the Sangeet Samman by the West Bengal Government, nominated for a Grammy for his album Artistry, and even recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for a historic 340-musician performance in Assam.

From the UK, Jesse Bannister brought his pioneering voice as one of the world’s foremost ethno-saxophonists. For over 25 years, he immersed himself in Indian classical music under the tutelage of Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra and Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, carrying the soul of the raga into the voice of the saxophone. His performances around the globe have been praised for their intricacy and originality, and Sacred Winds marked his fifth North American tour with Subhenji — a partnership defined by deep musical chemistry.
Completing the trio was Soumyajyoti Ghosh, a rising star of the Indian classical flute, trained under Pt. Sudip Chatterjee, Dr. Rajeeb Chakraborty, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, and Pt. Ronu Majumder. A staff artist with All India Radio and an ICCR-empanelled performer, his music carried both serenity and joy. Sacred Winds was especially meaningful for him, as it marked his debut classical music tour in the United States — a moment that made the evening even more special for the Ra-Ve community.

With these three distinguished artists on stage, the anticipation in the hall was palpable. The evening promised a rare encounter between the timeless traditions of Hindustani classical music and the improvisational spirit of jazz.
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The program began with warm words of welcome from Ra-Ve’s president, Satish Ramani, followed by the introduction and felicitation of the artists by Karthika, who also served as the evening’s gracious master of ceremonies.

Ra-Ve Samarpan Awards 2025

After an evening of breathtaking music that captivated every listener, the celebration continued with the inaugural Ra-Ve Samarpan Awards, recognizing excellence across five categories. Before announcing the winners, the careful consideration of the Board of Directors was acknowledged.

The awards were presented by Satish Ramani and Tim Malone, honoring Megha P. Rao with the Practicing Artist Award, Kulpreet Singh with the Volunteer Award, Shruthi Beedu with the Personal Advocacy Award, the Bentonville Moves Coalition with the Community Advocacy Award, and Srividya Venkatasubramanya with the Hall of Fame Award. These awards were a heartfelt way to celebrate the talent, dedication, and support of the artists, volunteers, and community leaders who make Ra-Ve’s work possible.

Celebration of Culture and Community

The evening featured inspiring speeches by our founder, Srividya Venkatasubramanya, as well as Board Members Scott Galbraith and Tim Malone, reflecting on the importance of community, culture, and the arts. Our treasurer, Nandhini Varadaraj, also presented the impact report, highlighting the organization’s achievements over the past year.

Attendees who participated in the fundraising dinner enjoyed a festive evening featuring authentic Indian cuisine, thoughtfully prepared by Mr. Raja of Vira’s Indian Kitchen, whose exciting menu and delicious flavors added a special touch to the night. The silent auction helped raise funds to sustain Ra-Ve’s cultural programs throughout the year.

Keeping Traditions Alive, Building Cultural Bridges

Through events like Sacred Winds, the Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation continues to make Indian classical performing arts accessible to diverse audiences in Northwest Arkansas, connecting generations and cultures through the universal language of music.

To support the Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, learn more about our programs, or explore sponsorship opportunities, visit our contact page. We look forward to welcoming you into the Ra-Ve family.