Time and Place:
Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 8 p.m.
Rose Hills Theatre
450 N. College Way
Claremont, California 91711
Tabla virtuoso Salar Nader curates a program of the rich and varied legacy of classical compositions and folk melodies of Afghanistan. At the heart of this musical odyssey lies the enchanting sounds of the rubab, Afghanistan's revered 21-stringed lute, renowned for its hauntingly soulful timbre. Accompanied by the tabla's rhythmic pulse, Salar's innovative fusion of Afghan and Indian percussion draws out the musical parallels with Hindustani music, exploring the essence of ragas and the profound connection between two diverse yet harmonious traditions.
Salar Nader, disciple of the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain, has toured extensively with NEA Jazz Master Stanley Clarke, appeared on Broadway with The Kite Runner and took part in a series of recordings of the music of Afghanistan and Central Asia sponsored by Aga Khan Music Initiative for the Smithsonian Folkways label. His discography includes In the Footsteps of Babur: Musical Encounters from the Land of the Mughals. Quraishi Roya is a legendary master and composer of the Rubab, Afghanistan's national instrument. A self-taught musician originally from Kabul, he is widely celebrated for keeping the rich tradition of classical Afghan court music and regional folk styles alive.
In a time when music has been banned in Afghanistan, the music of these master musicians serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and importance of preserving cultural heritage.