Thursday, May 17th, was the kickoff of the UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology's Spring Festival of World Music and Jazz.  The first performance in the music series was from the Music of India Ensemble.  It was directed by Shujaat Husain Khan and Abhiman Kaushal, two professors of Indian classical music in the Ethnomusicology department.  The ensemble consisted of the professors’ advanced students of sitar (a plucked lute melody instrument) and of tabla (an Indian percussion instrument consisting of two drums).  The show began with a vocal piece and the rest of the performance consisted of musical pieces from the ensemble.  The event was very enjoyable and really had the authentic feel of Indian culture.  For more information on the Spring Festival of World Music and Jazz, please visit http://www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu/.

Sonia Paul