Masters of Indian music present 'Peace Through Music' Nov. 16

Indian master musicians Shankar, Zakir Hussain and Gingger come to the Cornell Concert Series Nov. 16, to perform a concert titled "Peace Through Music." First performed in New York City's Town Hall, the concert is dedicated "to the victims of the recent disaster and their families" and to "the resilient city of New York." The program of Carnatic, or South Indian, music begins at 8 p.m. in Bailey Hall.

Tickets for the concert -- at $14-$20 for adults and $8-$12 for students of any age attending any institution -- are on sale now at the Willard Straight Hall ticket office (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, noon-5 p.m.; call 255-3430) the ticket center at Clinton House (116 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca; Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed 2-3 p.m. Saturday; call 273-4497 or 1-800-284-8422) and from the Cornell Concert Series web site at www.arts.cornell.edu/ccs.

On Nov. 16 Shankar will play the 10-string stereophonic double violin that he designed.

Shankar, his daughter Gingger, and Hussain are recognized worldwide as ambassadors of South Indian music, yet their public includes not only lovers of Indian classical music but lovers of world music and Western popular music, as well. Co-founders of the seminal '70s fusion ensemble Shakti, Shankar and Hussain are classical musicians of the first order and true pioneers. They have collaborated in groundbreaking experiments with music icons from every genre.

Shankar and Gingger will sing and play the 10-string stereophonic double violin. Designed by Shankar and built by Ken Parker, this instrument covers a range that includes double bass, cello, viola and violin. Shankar and Gingger are the only players of this unique instrument. Hussain has been called the leading tabla player of his generation and the favorite accompanist of India's greatest classical musicians and dancers.

The program will follow the format for a traditional Carnatic concert, beginning with a warm-up piece, similar to an etude in Western classical music. The climactic musical event is a ragam-tanam-pallavi, which allows the musicians maximum improvisation. The program will showcase Shankar's voice as well as virtuosic instrumental music.

Shankar's numerous collaborations with Western musicians have brought him international audiences. His albums have featured an impressive lineup of guest musicians, including Frank Zappa, Van Morrison and Yoko Ono. In 1991 his record Pancha Nadai Pallavi charted in several areas, including Billboard's World Music Top 10.

The recipient of many awards and honors, Hussain has toured internationally since he was 18. Hussain has worked with John McLaughlin, the Grateful Dead and with leading artists of Carnatic music. He composed music for the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and won a Grammy for his part as performer, composer and co-producer of Planet Drum.

Gingger began her training with her mother, an accomplished classical singer. Recently she has lent her voice, violin and compositions to several projects, including appearances at the "Concert for Global Harmony" and Nelson Mandela's 80th birthday celebration.