Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwals are masters of Qawwali Sufi music. They represent the twenty-sixth generation of original thirteenth-century Qawwals, connected to Hazrat Amir Khusrow, a poet, philosopher and musician, who invented the art of Qawwali.

Fareed Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwali Concert

South Asia Institute

Raga Boyz is a popular sufi-rock band from Pakistan featuring Wali Hamid Ali Khan, Inam Ali Khan and Nayab Ali Khan. The sibling trio band performs music of all genres, from Ragas to Rock, from Sufi to Heavy Metal, from Folk to Fusion. The Raga boys, being the sons of legendary Pakistani Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, are the ninth-generation descendants of the celebrated Patiala Gharana family.

Raga Boyz: Sufi Rock Concert

After the success of our first three South Asians On The Mic events, the South Asia Institute open mic night is back with the fourth installement of the series.

South Asians on the Mic, Vol. 4

The Saami Brothers, an acclaimed group of vocalists and humble custodians of the Qawwali and Khayaal traditions of Hazrat Ameer Khusrau and Ustad Taanrus Khan Sahab, are set to grace the stage at the South Asia Institute.

Saami Brothers Rivayati Qawwali Concert at South Asia Institute

A captivating concert by Khumariyaan, a renowned dynamic instrumental Pashtun band from Pakistan that is celebrated for fusing traditional folk music with modern acoustic energy. The band's name, translating to "the state of intoxication from music",  captures the essence of their music that has reawakened the live music scene in Peshawar, a city at the ancient crossroads through the Khyber Pass that links Pakistan and Afghanistan. The band's mission is to use native music as a medium of peace, to enlighten and inspire the youth of Pakistan.

Khumariyaan in Concert

Saving Mes Aynak follows Afghan archaeologist Qadir Temori as he races against time to save a 5,000-year-old archaeological site in Afghanistan from imminent demolition. A Chinese state-owned mining company is closing in on the ancient site, eager to harvest $100 billion dollars worth of copper buried directly beneath the archaeological ruins.

Saving Mes Aynak Film Screening

South Asian classical Sitar and Tabla Recital by Ravi Chary, a distinguished sitar player and Grammy award nominee from Goa, India, known for his mastery in both Indian classical and fusion music. He will be accompanied by Amit Kavthekar, a groundbreaking Indian tabla player, renowned as the last ganda-bandhan (ordained disciple) of the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha and prominent disciple of the late Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Ravi Chary and Amit Kavthekar: Sitar and Tabla Recital

An opportunity for a deeper dive into the history of South Asian classical music and the basic foundations of the ancient art of the ragas, from one of its most dedicated practitioners, Alam Khan.  Alam will also talk about his family’s musical history.

South Asian Classical Music Talk and Workshop By Alam Khan

Born in California in 1982 he studied sarod under his father, the great musician, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan in the guru-shishya tradition from age seven. Alam is the direct heir to the legacy of the Senia Maihar gharana which was established by his grandfather Baba Alauddin Khan in the 19th century in India. Alauddin Khan was the teacher of his famous son and daughter, Ali Akbar Khan and Annapurna Devi, and also the teacher for Ravi Shankar, Nikhil Bannerjee, and Aashish Khan as well.

Alam Khan : A Classical Sarod Concert

The Arun Ramamurthy Trio seamlessly fuses South Indian Carnatic classical and contemporary jazz into an unpredictably lively instrumental storm of sound. Aiming to simultaneously revitalize traditional forms and to build cross-genre partnerships, the collective of Arun Ramamurthy on violin, Sameer Gupta on drums, and Damon Banks on electric bass, perform music that finds spiritual buoyancy in evocative Raga-like strings and drive in its propulsive rhythm section. This full-length concert at the South Asia Institute serves as the Chicago premiere of the band's latest LP, New Moon Suite. Commissioned by Chamber Music America's New Jazz Works, the four-movement work showcases Ramamurthy's penchant for cultural connection and lyrically told stories of migration and shines a light on the teachings and wisdom of our ancestors. The trio has been selling out their east coast shows and this will be part of the trio’s first Midwest tour. Ramamurthy has previously performed traditional carnatic classical music in Chicago, at South Asian Institute and as part of Ragamala and Chicago’s String Summit festivals.

Arun Ramamurthy Trio Jazz Concert

Ochin Pakhi is a group of young, enthusiastic, spiritually motivated, fun-loving musicians whose compositions explore various folk songs from West Bengal and Bangladesh. They call themselves "Ochin Pakhi", Bengali for "The unknown bird" and refers to their heart. The phrase was first used by Lalon Fakir (Shah), a prominent Bengali philosopher, mystic, songwriter, social reformer, and thinker, in one of his famous songs, “Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi”.

Ochin Pakhi: Praner Alap Album Release

On the special night that was to see South Asia Institute supporting the great tabla player, Ustad Zakir Hussain on stage at the Chicago Symphony Center presenting his bi-annual Master’s of Percussion concert, we will gather at South Asia Institute instead to honor to remember the late, great maestro of rhythm. It is a chance to join together with friends, fellow fans, music lovers and Zakir’s own family to witness the great percussionist in this rarely seen incredible concert film directed by Zakir’s own daughter, Anisa Qureshi and his son-in-law, Taylor Phillips.

Honoring Zakir Hussain: Concert Film Screening & Special Fundraiser

A short film about the Rababis, a community of Pakistani Muslim musicians with a deep-rooted connection to the Sikh community through a centuries-old music tradition that originated with Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and his disciple Bhai Mardana. The Rababis are descendants of Bhai Mardana, a Muslim musician who accompanied Guru Nanak, and played the rabab (a stringed instrument) while Guru Nanak sang the Gurbani (Sikh scriptures). The Rababis were the original custodians of Sikhism’s kirtan (devotional singing) tradition, and their music played a vital role in spreading Guru Nanak’s message of peace, unity, and oneness.

The Rababis Ensemble: Film Screening & Music Concert

In a rare performance, Pakistani musicians Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and the Saami Brothers join forces with Zeb Bangash to explore the spiritual healing power of khayal music. Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is a distinguished classical vocalist, belonging to a lineage of musicians that spans over 800 years. A master of the khayal and dhrupad genres, Ustad Saami is a revered figure in the Delhi Gharana, known for his profound knowledge of classical ragas and his deep, resonant voice. His contributions to South Asian classical music have made him a living legend, and his performances are not just concerts—they are spiritual experiences that bridge the past and present, connecting audiences across cultural and temporal divides.

Ustad Naseeruddin Saami & The Saami Brothers Featuring Zeb Bangash

We're delighted to be hosting Chicago-based renowned veena player Saraswathi Ranganathan and gifted mridangam accompanist Harsha Mandayam Bharathi for her first solo performance at SAI. Saraswathi is a master of the veena, a 24-fretted lute made with two resonating gourds, is at the core of the carnatic tradition. The mridangam is the veena's percussive counterpart, a double-headed, barrel-shaped drum. Together, these two artists will bring a night of unforgettable carnatic classical music to the stage!

Saraswathi Ranganathan : Carnatic Veena Recital

“Breaking Down Racial Barriers With Music” is a community conversation and storytelling event demonstrating how music has been historically impactful in bridging cultural divides and mutual understanding.  In the current climate of war and the socio-political tensions that have arisen, artists are standing as cultural diplomats through their instruments and voices.

Bridging the Divide, Breaking Down Racial Barriers With Music

Chicago based music ensemble Do The Needful features Hindi vocalists, Indian flute, guitar/fuzz organ, electric bass, drums and percussion. The band interprets classic Bollywood anthems from the 60s and 70s through the prism of its myriad influences that includes not only Indian pop and Bollywood music , but also garage pop, surf, rockabilly, ghostly jazz, South Asian classical music and raw blues.

Do The Needful w/ Special Guest Lapgan at Old Town School of Folk Music

Ragamala Chicago, the 12th annual, all-night concert featuring eight performing ensembles and featured artists starting at 6PM until 8AM under the world’s largest Tiffany Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall. A rare opportunity to experience South Asian classical ragas which are meant for specific times throughout the day and night. Ragamala showcases and celebrates some of the world’s finest performers of Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as part of the city’s annual World Music Festival. Presented in collaboration with South Asia Institute, People of Rhythm Productions and South Asian Classical Music Society of Chicago.

Ragamala: An All Night Celebration of South Asian Classical Music

South Asia Institute is thrilled to present an exclusive live concert featuring the legendary Ustad Naseeruddin Saami on Friday, September 13 (7:00 pm). This special event will showcase a unique performance of Khayal-influenced Qawwali, led by Ustad Saami, a world-renowned maestro of classical music. Sharing the stage with him will be the Saami Brothers, his talented sons and disciples, who continue the family's rich musical legacy.

Ruhani Raag: Ustad Naseeruddin Saami Live at South Asia Institute (with Saami Brothers)

South Asia Institute welcomes Vishnu Ramprasad (navtar), Krissy Bergmark (tabla) and Shalaka Kulkarni (movement and storytelling) as they meet on stage to intuit, explore, and evoke art from each other. Each are boundary-pushing, experimental artists in their own right, and they come together for this special concert to meet on the edge of convention and unorthodoxy, ritual and opposition. A rare performance featuring the musical sounds of the tabla drum and the navtar, a unique 9 string guitar-like instrument of musician's own creation and paired with the movement, dance and storytelling.

Beyond Boundaries: An Exploration of Music and Movement with Vishnu Ramprasad (navtar), Krissy Bergmark (tabla) and Shalaka Kulkarni (movement and storytelling)

As We Speak: Banjo legend Béla Fleck, tabla master Zakir Hussain, double bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer, and Indian bamboo flute (bansuri) player Rakesh Chaurasia join forces for As We Speak, an album and live project  that not only showcases the group’s breathtaking abilities as instrumentalists but underscores the wide range of musical influences at their command. Across a dozen tracks, the group glides easily between the cerebral complexity of Indian rhythm and the gut-level groove of a funky bass line, sounding equally at home with the rigors of raga.

Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck, Rakesh Chaurasia, Edgar Meyer. Special Guest Arooj Aftab

South Asia Institute and South Asian Classical Music Society Chicago welcome a special Hindustani and Carnatic Jugalbandi collaboration featuring Shadaj Godkhindi on Hindustani bansuri and KJ Dileep on Carnatic violin accompanied by two of India’s most acclaimed percussionists, Anubrata Chatterjee on Tabla and Sai Raghavan on Mridangam.

Carnatic-Hindustani Jugalbandi at SAI

Two-time JUNO (Canadian Grammy) winner Kiran Ahluwalia’s open-hearted vocals have established her as one of global music’s most compelling cross-pollinators. An acclaimed musician with roots in Indian classical, Sufi, Ghazal, and Punjabi folk music, her six-piece band is led by ace Pakistani guitarist Rez Abbasi whose accolades include the Guggenheim Fellowship and frequent appearances on the Top Ten Guitarists of Downbeat’s International Critics Poll. Kiran and Rez are a real-life couple, one born in India, the other in Pakistan. Having grown up in the Diaspora they crossed ethnic and religious lines between their two warring motherlands to forge a musical and life partnership. Together they craft songs that are equal parts reflective and groovy and bring together the disparate traditions of Indian music, West African Blues and Jazz. Three continents come together in these songs so organically that they sound like nothing else – ethereal, raw, urgent and elegant at the same time. Over the course of seven albums, Kiran’s work has featured collaborations with leading musicians from the Celtic and Fado worlds, as well as Malian super group Tinariwen. Her reworking of the classic Qawwali tune Mustt Mustt has amassed over 3 million views online and the inspiration that drove her to create it continues to inform her music today.

Kiran Ahluwalia in Concert

Join Anand, a student of legendary Indian classical Dhrupad vocalist Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar, who will present a unique program of Buddhist suttas in a bouquet of ragas, and see how they speak to Kabir and Babasaheb Ambedkar in establishing the norm, or Sa, of equality. The concert will be followed by a short Q&A with the artist, Anand and Pranathi Diwakar.

THE SA OF EQUALITY: Dhammapada in Dhrupad by Anand

An exploration of songs written and composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam that demonstrate the poet-composer's foothold in the semi-classical genres of ragpradhaan/ragasrita gaan.

A Vocal Concert by Tomal Hossain accompanied by Mir Naqibul Islam on tabla

Pandit Partha Bose is Internationally recognized as a leading instrumentalist who continues his musical journey beyond 5 decades of training under Maihar Gharana from Guru Pandit Monoj Shankar. Performances in major festivals across 5 continents, lec-dems; workshops at reputed universities, distinguish his presence in the global cultural arena. International media - including BBC, Voice of America, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, German Radio, Voice of Russia, Indian Radio and Television - have featured Bose in interviews and performances. Tabla Legend Pandit Kishen Maharaj acknowledged his virtuosity by accompanying him in a historic concert in Kolkata in 2006.

South Asia Institute

25 - 26 Oct, 2025

Fareed Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwali Concert

12 - 14 Sep, 2025

Raga Boyz: Sufi Rock Concert

South Asia Institute