The maestro Shubhendra Rao brings his music from India to Guayaquil for the first time

In a night of opera music, Ecuadorian and Indian musicians come together to give a show that promises to be unforgettable. The teacher Shubhendra Rao came to our country with his zither to show that music breaks down barriers.

The zither is one of the most important instruments of Hindu music. Several artists, such as George Harrison of the British band The Beatles, have incorporated it into their songs.

Rao’s invitation to the country was given thanks to the friendship that exists between him and the Ecuadorian ambassador to India, Teodoro Maldonado., who is his fan: “The ambassador found out that I would give four concerts in Brazil and he suggested that I also go to Ecuador.” He brought him into contact with Jorge Saade, director of the Philharmonic Unit that manages the Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra of Guayaquil.

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The teacher arrived in the country on Sunday the 13th and had the opportunity to visit Santa Ana Hill: “It was very beautiful, I walked around, drank coffee and enjoyed the view. For me, walking is the best way to get to know a new city, so you interact better with people and connect better,” he confesses.

Music has always been present in his life since he can remember. His father played the zither just like him and his mother played the saraswati vinaa traditional string instrument from India.

He states that there is no formal education or conservatory in India that teaches zither playing professionally, stating that it is a very old tradition where one learns directly from one’s teacher. “I have been lucky enough to live for nine years with one of the most famous Indian musicians of all time, Ravi Shankar, the father of singer Nora Jones. This is how knowledge was transferred. I believe that this living together is essential, because it makes the level of learning very deep”.

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Rao adds that his father was one of Shankar’s first disciples: “It’s a relationship of many, many years; All my life there was that connection with art and the zither”.

The piece he will perform together with the Guayaquil Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Manuel Campos, is called Concerto for zither No. 1. This work was composed by his mentor in 1970.

His wife, Saskia, plays the cello and was a pioneer in incorporating it into Indian music. His son Ishaan is also an artist as he plays the piano and is currently studying at Berklee University in the United States.

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The show is tomorrow, Thursday, August 17, in the main hall of the Teatro Centro de Arte, at 8 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.