The Art of the Afghan Rubab and Tabla

Presented in partnership with the UMASS Fine Arts Center

PLEASE NOTE: This performance takes place at The Drake

All previously issued March 6 tickets are still valid. Please let us know if you need a refund or if we can help in any other way.

As a standard-bearer of Afghan traditional music in the US, tabla virtuoso Salar Nader curates a program of the rich and varied legacy of classical compositions and folk melodies of this ancient Central Asian nation.

At the heart of this musical odyssey lies the enchanting sounds of the rûbab, 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 Hindustan 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. 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.

Single tickets go on sale at amherst.universitytickets.com fourteen days before this performance, on Saturday, March 13, at 12 AM.

Single ticket pricing: General Public: $28; Senior Citizens (65+): $22; Students with valid ID and children: $12