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Page 29 - The Indian EYE 082826
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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                               AUGUST 28, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 29

               From Raga to Bollywood: Houston Audiences Discover

                            the Classical Roots of the Songs They Love

              IAA Houston brings “Raageet” with singer Priyani Vani Panditt to Houston for an evening connecting

                           Indian classical tradition, Bollywood favorites and a community that loves to sing

            OUR BUREAU                                                                                            some of the country’s best-known mu-
                                                                                                                  sic competitions, including the 2005
            HOUSTON, TX
                                                                                                                  Sa Re Ga Ma Challenge, Amul Star
                   n any given weekend in Hous-                                                                   Voice of India in 2007 and Jo Jeeta
                   ton, Bollywood music can be                                                                    Wohi Superstar in 2008. Equally com-
            Oheard far beyond the con-                                                                            fortable with classical foundations and
            cert stage - from karaoke gatherings                                                                  contemporary repertoire, she brings
            and community celebrations to living                                                                  both musical knowledge and the ener-
            rooms and music groups where gen-                                                                     gy of a popular performer to Raageet.
            erations come together around songs                                                                       The  program  reflects  IAA’s
            they have known and loved for years.                                                                  broader mission of preserving and
            But how many listeners know the Indi-                                                                 presenting the artistic traditions of the
            an classical ragas that inspired some of   new way. Through performance and   may  already  know  by  heart.  “Bolly-  Indian subcontinent while finding new
            those familiar melodies?          conversation, Priyani will reveal how   wood music is often where people first   ways to connect those traditions with
                On August 29, the Indo-American   composers have drawn upon the emo-  encounter the extraordinary richness   contemporary audiences and younger
            Association (IAA), a Houston Cultur-  tional language and structure of ragas   of Indian music, sometimes without   generations.
            al Treasure, will present RAAGEET,   to create melodies that have remained   even realizing it,” said Sheetal Bedi,   RAAGEET – Priyani Vani
            featuring  acclaimed  Bollywood  play-  with listeners across generations.   Executive  Director  of  IAA.  “With   Panditt Live in Concert
            back singer and stage artist Priyani   For Houston’s large and diverse   Raageet, we want audiences to enjoy
            Vani Panditt and her live band at   South  Asian  community - including   the songs they love while discovering   • Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM
            Unity  of  Houston.  Raageet  explores   the many amateur singers, karaoke   the  classical  traditions  that  helped   • Unity  of  Houston,  2929  Unity
            the fascinating connection between   enthusiasts and music lovers who reg-  shape them. It is about making that her-  Drive, Houston
            Indian classical ragas and popular film   ularly gather around Bollywood music   itage accessible, joyful and relevant.”  • For  tickets,  artist  videos  and  ad-
            music, inviting audiences to hear fa-  - the program offers an opportunity to   Priyani Vani Panditt rose to na-  ditional information, visit IAA-
            miliar Bollywood songs in an entirely   discover what lies beneath songs they   tional prominence in India through   HOUSTON.ORG.

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