On 14th July 2012, SEHT presented a classical sitar music recital performed by the world-renowned Pandit Shalil Shankar, accompanied by Mohinder Singh on tabla and supported by Dr. Safdar Ansari on tanpura.

Shalil Shankar, after hearing the news that Surayya Raoof, a family friend had passed away offered to perform a concert in support of the charity founded in her memory. Living in Switzerland, Shalil Shankar felt compelled to come to the UK to give his time and backing to SEHT after learning of the goals of SEHT and its strong commitment to its aims of health and education support for the poor. He travelled to Nottingham especially to perform the recital, which took place at the Lakeside Arts Centre in Nottingham in July.

As one of the world’s leading sitar players, Pandit Shalil Shankar has travelled the world with his music, creating a fusion of western classical music with sitar. He has been described as a “brilliant and charismatic sitar player…learning his art from the legendary Ravi Shankar…breaking down religious and political barriers with the universal language of music”. Indeed this was the case when he performed in Nottingham, playing several pieces which demonstrated why he is such a master in his field.

Mendi Mohinder Singh, a classically-trained tabla player and composer based in Birmingham, has also worked with several celebrated artists and has worked with Pandit Shalil Shankar on numerous occasions and venues around the world. Together in Nottingham, the music they created made for a delightful cultural experience and was very well-received by the audience. Their energy and respective talents combined to produce a wonderful evening of music, some pieces relaxing, others fast and energising.

SEHT wishes to express their sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Pandit Shalil Shankar, Mendi Mohinder Singh, Dr. Safdar Ansari and the staff of the Lakeside Arts Centre.  They also most sincerely thank everyone that attended the concert in support of the charity; hopefully they had an exceptional evening and clearly made the fundraising evening a great success. SEHT would also like to thank those who generously contributed to the charity but were unable to attend.