Join us in celebrating Indian cinema and Academy Award history through an immersive exploration into the music mastery of RRR (2022), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), and Lagaan (2001). This program delves into the musical tapestries woven by the acclaimed soundtracks of three groundbreaking films, each celebrated not just for their cinematic excellence but also for their musical innovation, and how they resonated with audiences worldwide.

The lecture will be followed by a live tabla and dance performance by Bollypop and Sadubas reinterpreting the music of all three films.

BIOS

Robin Sukhadia

Robin Sukhadia

A Master in Fine Arts graduate from the World Music program at the California Institute of the Arts, Robin Sukhadia studies tabla (classical north Indian drums) under Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. His special focus on the musical traditions and rhythms of south Asia informs his approach to musical arrangement and composition on a wide range of concert, film, and album productions. He is a lover of Bollywood and south Asian cinema, and credits his parents for introducing him to these mesmerizing artforms at a very young age.

He performs extensively in both classical and contemporary contexts. In 2010, he curated and executed the capstone classical concert for Lucknow: India's Fabled City at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Robin is a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar and spent 18 months in India researching the impact of music education on impoverished youth. In 2018, he performed in Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles as a tabla soloist on Reena Esmail’s oratorio “This Love Between Us”.

He presently works as a strategic consultant for non-profit leadership and fundraising, and teaches graduate level courses on philanthropy and the arts at Claremont Graduate University. More info at www.tablapusher.com

Aakansha Maheshwari-Bollypop

Aakansha Maheshwari-Bollypop

Born and raised in Delhi, Aakansha Maheshwari spent over a decade training in Indian classical Bharatanatyam and toured across India.

In 2013, Aakansha moved to Los Angeles after working in a feature film, “Vara” (A Blessing), and founded BollyPop. Her desire was to bring Indian dance to all in a fun and approachable way. Today, BollyPop has branches all over SoCal, Oakland, and Salt Lake City.

Currently, Aakansha teaches multiple childrens’ classes at various schools and universities in LA. She also helps adults get moving through her dance fitness classes.

Aakansha is also known for performing and leading big crowds at Holi color festivals across the US and Canada, as well as being invited to conduct Diwali workshops in companies like Google, Warner Bros., JPL and Snap.

In 2020, Aakansha co-founded Kalbeliya World, an online dance platform to support folk artists from Rajasthan. She also works regularly with non profits like Manav Sadhna teaching dance to children in underprivileged communities. More info at www.bollypopla.com

Ameet Mehta

Ameet Mehta

Ameet Mehta is a vibrant electronic music producer, visual artist, and DJ, merging technology with emotion to create immersive experiences. Driven by relentless curiosity and a profound desire to radiate positivity, his work transcends boundaries, showcasing a fresh sound and aesthetic. He is influenced by 80s Bollywood disco, early hip hop, house music & culture and his art expresses pure joy and infectious vibes. His unique blend of nostalgia and modernity makes him a distinctive voice in the electronic and visual arts scene, captivating audiences with his commitment to innovation and vibe-driven aesthetics. View his visual explorations at https://instagram.com/thegridlifeai