Behind the Scenes of a Sitar Concert Tour
Music is not just about the final performance. It is about the thousands of miles, the early mornings, the sound checks, and the shared joy that happens when we finally step onto the stage.
A snapshot of the amazing, receptive audience at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The energy of a full house is what fuels every performance.
After a wonderful concert in Buffalo, a visit to the stunning Niagara Falls is an absolute must. The life of a touring musician is filled with such beautiful sights.
With my wife Saskia and a friend after an emotional morning concert. Sharing these moments of bliss and gratitude with loved ones is a blessing.
Receiving some lovely gifts after our concert in Dehradun for the Himalayan Samskrit Utsav. We are always grateful for the warmth and hospitality we receive.
Another photo from the felicitation ceremony in Dehradun. It is the love from organizers and audiences that makes our journey so rewarding.
A truly blessed feeling. The entire houseful audience at a festival in Delhi started singing 'Happy Birthday' to me. It was a joyous, impromptu celebration I will never forget.
A dream come true. Reflecting on the first Sitar Ramarao Utsav, a festival in honor of my father. A houseful hall and standing ovations made it an unprecedented success.
It is so wonderful to be back at the Desert Song Festival in Australia. Here, we are rehearsing with the amazing Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir as they sing "Om Shanti".
Rehearsing with Maestro Ricardo Delgado for an Indo-Peruvian musical collaboration. Our dog Zizou seems to be enjoying the music too!
About On The Road: A Musician's Journey
People see the final performance, but they rarely see the 1200-mile drives or the mandatory 60-minute sound checks that happen long before the first note is played. My touring life is a balancing act of logistics and meditation, ensuring that when I finally sit down with my sitar, the only thing that matters is the energy of the room.
A concert is more than just the hour on stage. It is a long process of preparation and connection. When I travel for a performance, whether it is for a school outreach program through SPIC MACAY or a grand festival, I arrive with the understanding that the audience and I are about to embark on a journey together.
The Reality of Touring
From navigating tornadoes in Texas to rehearsing with a choir in Alice Springs, the road brings unexpected challenges. These moments are where the discipline of my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar, truly comes into play. You learn to be adaptable. You learn to find the 'raga' in the chaos. A successful concert relies on technical precision—the acoustic balance of a cello against a sitar, or the specific tuning of a grand piano for the Rao Trio—and I always travel with my own team to ensure the sound is exactly as it should be.
Connecting with the Audience
For me, the most rewarding part of touring is the human connection. I do not perform in a bubble. When an entire hall spontaneously sings 'Happy Birthday' during a concert, or when the silence during an 'Alaap' feels heavy and profound, that is when the music is truly alive. My performances are rooted in the Maihar Gharana tradition, but they are open to anyone with an open heart. Whether you are hosting a formal classical evening, a private event, or a community festival, my goal is always to create a shared space for introspection and joy.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
21
Behind the Scenes: A Sitar Musician's Journey
36
Behind the Scenes of My Tabla Performances
Sitar Performances and Musical Journeys
25
Live Sitar Performances and Musical Tours
A Musician's Journey: Behind the Scenes with Ravi Chary
A Glimpse Into the Life of a Tabla Artist
More from Sitar Performances & Concerts by Shubhendra Rao
More services by Shubhendra Rao