MUMBAI: The essence of music is calm, it is the time when no problems are confronted and one does not seek any solutions. A rare opportunity to hear the magical, ancient sound of the Santoor by Japanese artist Takahiro Arai in the monthly series of ‘SurSagar’– A rising star every month accompanied by Chandrashekar Gandhi on (Tabla)  at Sri Shanmukhananda Padma Ranga Chamber Music Hall, Second floor, Sion, Mumbai on Friday, 5 October, 2018,  7.30 pm. onwards.  Entry is free for the concert on first come first basis.

An avid student of western music, Takahiro Arai fell in love with Santoor at the age of 26. He says there is something very calming and soothing about Indian music.“The Santoor is a magical instrument. His musical Journey began at the age of 16 by playing Western Drums. After completing his Schooling, he joined a Music college and studied Jazz Music and theory. He also, had his own band in which he was the lead player for five years.

His music is both entertaining and is interwoven with the general feeling of peace and stillness. Formerly into western drums, this Japanese musician, ever since he was smitten by the gentle strains of the santoor, has been its ardent devotee, took his first lessons in his home country Japan from Setsuo Miyashita, a senior disciple of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.  For the past 11 years he is living in Mumbai and learning Santoor under the tutelage of his Guru, the renowned Santoor Maestro  Pt. Shivkumar Sharma. He has been accompanying his Guru Pt. Shivkumar Sharma at all his Concerts in India as well abroad.