Presentation of the book “Indian Music” by Konstantinos Kalaitzis
The first official presentation of the book “Indian Music” by Konstantinos Kalaitzis took place on the evening of June 1, 2024, at the Cultural Center of Agios Stefanos Dionysos Attica.
The curator of the book, Ms. Satya Kasimi, museologist and doctoral candidate of the D.U.Th., presented the book by showing rare photographic material and unique recordings from Kalaitzis’ research. The book launch was accompanied by live vocal and instrumental music of both classical traditions – Karnatak and Hindustani – as well as folk and tribal music of India
The musicians participated: Kostas Kalaitzis (voice and guitar), Dimitris Roumeliotis (sitar), Giorgos Mitsikaris (bansuri, tabla) and Eleni Sotiropoulou (tambura), as well as the leading classical dance teacher of Bharata Natyam, Leda Santala, and the young Indian dancer Sarangi Bhudija (Ghoomar folk dance).
Dr. Vasiliki Chrysanthopoulou, Social Anthropologist, Associate Professor of Social Folklore at the University of Athens, who has foreworded the book, spoke about it. Dr. Dimitrios Vassiliadis, Indologist and President of the Hellenic-Indian Society for Culture and Development *ELINEPA) and Mr. Giorgos Komninakis, Deputy Mayor of Culture, Volunteering and Philanthropy of Dionysos Municipality addressed the event as well.
The event was graced by the presence of the cultural attaché of the Indian Embassy, Mr. Birender Singh Rawat, as well as a large number of Greek and Indian friends of Indian music, who came from various parts of Attica and flooded the Cultural Center of Agios Stefanos.
The Municipality of Dionysos organized the event with the support of the Embassy of India in Athens and the Hellenic-Indian Society for Culture and Development (ELINEPA).
