The Bandish Network

09/01/2026

08/17/2026

A gorgeous celebration is coming to Vancouver this autumn.

https://zameenarthouse.com/event/ustad-zakir-hussain/

Ust. Akram Khan Sahab on his Canada wide Tour, presents a heartfelt tribute to Ust. Zakir Hussain Ji through a tabla solo in an intimate baithak setting, where music and stories can land deeply with every listener.

A co-presentation by Raga Echoes Foundation and Zameen Art House, bringing together two vibrant creative forces in Vancouver, for an offering rooted in music, reminiscence and connection.

It is a joy for Bandish Network to set up and place these partnerships for long term impact. I look forward to seeing Raga Echoes develop through relational advancement for lasting impact.

08/04/2026

Hey… my art gallery is live on insta, give me your follow!

115 Followers, 19 Following, 33 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Nina Buddhdev | Contemporary Spiritual Artist ()

07/28/2026

In the classical arts, relationships matter.

A student may find a mentor through a workshop. A young artist may receive a performance opportunity because an organiser remembered their sincerity. An accompanist may recommend a dancer after a respectful collaboration. A senior artist may guide a younger practitioner because they noticed not only talent, but humility, preparedness and commitment.

This is networking-but in the classical arts, the word often feels uncomfortable.

Many artists associate networking with self-promotion, flattery, influence-seeking or transactional behaviour. For those trained in traditions that value guru-bhakti, discipline and artistic depth, the idea of “building contacts” can appear almost vulgar.

Yet, relationships have always been central to the arts. The guru-shishya parampara itself is built on trust. Baithaks, sabhas, festivals, conferences, residencies and lecture-demonstrations have always created spaces where artists, students, patrons, organisers and rasikas meet one another.

The question is not whether artists should network.

The question is how they can do it with grace.

In the classical arts, relationships matter. A student may find a mentor through a workshop. A young artist may receive a performance opportunity because an organiser remembered their sincerity. An accompanist may recommend a dancer after a respectful collaboration. A senior artist may guide a young...

07/23/2026

I'm pleased to announce a new collaboration between Bandish Network, the Museum of Vancouver, and Raga Echoes.

This autumn, Bandish Network and Raga Echoes will present a curated autumn series at the Museum of Vancouver, inviting audiences to engage with the richness, diversity, and evolving narratives of Indus and Pan–South Asian diasporic experiences through music, storytelling, and conversation.

The series will celebrate the extraordinary contributions of British Columbia's artists while creating space for thoughtful dialogue, cultural exchange, and deeper public engagement with our communities.

My sincere thanks to the Museum of Vancouver for its partnership and confidence in this vision. I am equally grateful to Raga Echoes for accepting my invitation to co-present this series.

Building strategic partnerships that strengthen our cultural sector is central to The Bandish Network's mandate. Equally important is creating meaningful opportunities for emerging organizations to expand their leadership and impact. It has been a privilege to work alongside Raga Echoes as they continue to grow, and I look forward to seeing their contributions to our cultural landscape continue to flourish.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to artistic excellence, legacy, community leadership, and building a stronger, more connected future for Indus and Pan–South Asian arts and culture in British Columbia.

More details on the series will be announced soon. Nina

07/22/2026

Rooted and Reaching: Living Legacies of Indus Valley and Pan South Asian Classical Arts in Canada

Rooted and Reaching: Living Legacy of Indus Valley Classical Arts in Canada Jul 18, 2026 | Arts BC Blog A collection of publications, presentations, videos, Bandish Network contributions, and community-based initiatives documenting two decades of cultural leadership in the preservation and advanceme...

07/14/2026

MEHFIL SERIES:
A Musical Evening of Raga, Kharabat, and Ghazal Traditions

https://evergreenarts.ca/event/mehfil-series-a-musical-evening-of-raga-kharabat-and-ghazal-traditions/

Date November 14, 2026
Time 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm

The Bandish Mehfil Series offers an intimate musical gathering rooted in the timeless traditions of South and Central Asian classical music. In this special evening, Afghan vocalist and composer Aqil Sharifi presents a program of raga, Kharabat repertoire, and Persian ghazals drawn from the rich musical heritage of Afghanistan.

Watch: https://youtu.be/hTk7GH4UnG4?si=-9tRiDLfP-Feh1Iw

Accompanied by the resonant tones of live sitar by Gurjit Sikri and the rhythmic dialogue of tabla by Hriday Buddhdev, Sharifi’s expressive voice guides audiences through a tapestry of melody, poetry, and improvisation. His performance reflects a lineage that connects Afghan classical music with the wider Indo-Persian traditions, where music becomes both storytelling and spiritual reflection.

Rooted in poetic expression and refined classical training, Sharifi’s interpretations reveal the emotional depth of Persian verse and the nuanced beauty of raga-based musical forms. In the close and immersive atmosphere of the mehfil setting, audiences experience music as it has been shared for generations, as a living conversation between artist, tradition, and listener.

MEHFIL SERIES: A Musical Evening of Raga, Kharabat, and Ghazal Traditions Presented by The Bandish Network ABOUT THE SHOW The Bandish Mehfil Series offers an intimate musical gathering rooted […]