Musical Collaborations and Family Performances
Music is a language of love that brings us together. I find my deepest creative expression when playing alongside my wife, Saskia, and our son, Ishaan, or bridging cultures with fellow artists.
I feel truly blessed to share my music with the two people dearest to me, my wife Saskia and son Ishaan. This is a snippet from our first official recording as a Family Trio, a moment of pure joy and collaboration.
Performing with my wife, Saskia Rao-de Haas, at the beautiful Rajarani Music Festival in Bhuvaneshwar. Our musical dialogue, blending the sitar and her Indian Cello, is a journey we have shared for many years.
A poster from our concert in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is always a special experience to travel and perform with Saskia, sharing our unique blend of sitar and Indian cello with audiences around the world.
I am so proud of my wife, Saskia, for being honoured with the "Driver of Change" award by the India Today and Mahindra groups. Her contribution to music, from creating the Indian Cello to her work with Sangeet4All, is truly historic.
A beautiful evening spent with the living legend, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. It was very touching to see the love and blessings he showered upon my son, Ishaan, continuing the tradition of elders nurturing the next generation.
It is a privilege to perform with great artists like the legendary Herbie Hancock and multi-Grammy winner Dianne Reeves. These collaborations are a reminder that music has no boundaries.
About Family & Collaborations
When I perform alongside my wife, Saskia, we are not just playing two instruments; we are exploring a unique dialogue between the Sitar and the Indian Cello. This blend requires a deep, shared understanding that goes beyond technical skill, allowing us to weave a narrative that bridges traditions during our live concerts or intimate recordings.
Collaboration is at the heart of my musical life. It is about surrender and shared joy, whether I am improvising with my wife, Saskia, or connecting with legends like Herbie Hancock and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. These experiences are not just performances; they are conversations.
My work with the Sitar and Indian Cello symphony has taken us from Bhubaneswar to Dallas, proving that when the foundation is strong, rooted in my training in the Maihar Gharana, music can travel anywhere. We do not look at genres as barriers but as different colours on the same canvas. When we bring our son, Ishaan, into the mix, it becomes a multi-generational exchange of raga and rhythm.
For those looking to bring this energy to an event, know that what you see on stage is an extension of our home. We bring the same intimacy, whether it is a small private gathering or a large concert. We do not just play; we share the stories of our Guru-Shishya lineage and the fun of breaking musical boundaries. If you are looking for a performance that feels less like a formal presentation and more like a soulful dialogue between old and new worlds, let us have a conversation about what we can create for your audience.
Shubhendra Rao
Music is my family's shared language, and I feel blessed to share this journey with my wife, Saskia, and our son, Ishaan. Collaborating with fellow artists feels like opening a door to a new world, where different rhythms and melodies meet to create something entirely new and joyous.
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