About KHMC
History
The Karnatik and Hindustani Music Circle (KHMC) was formed in 1995 as a grassroots organization of the vibrant Hindustani and Karnatik music communities in the Greater Boston area. However, the credit for bringing the two music communities together belongs to Drs. Datta and Natalie Dandekar, who used to hold open houses for musicians in their home in Newton, MA. Starting in early 1980s, Dandekars invited any and all Hindustani and Karnatik musicians in the area to these musical soirees in their home. When Dandekars had to move away from the Boston area in 1995, the Hindustani and Karnatik music communities decided to form the KHMC organization, to continue the good work that the Dandekars had started in bringing the Karnatik and Hindustani music communities in this region together. The KHMC organization has organized on an average six concerts each year during 1995-2007. This has been a very successful endeavor because of a very generous support of the music communities, participating as performers, supportive audiences, and host families.
A brief introduction to the man who started it all and towards whom KHMC holds deep gratitude for promoting Karnatic and Hindustani music in the New England area for the past 14 years -
Suresh C. Mathur – Musical Profile
Suresh studied Hindustani Classical Music at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in New Delhi during 1951-58. He received specialized training in Hindustani flute from his Guru Shri Prakash Wadehra, an eminent flautist and a noted music critic. Since coming to USA in 1958, he has continued his study, performance, and research in Hindustani music. He has presented many public concerts in the Boston area and other states during the past 50 years. He has also studied and practiced orchestral music, performing with Kathak dance, Bharatnatyam dance, and orchestral ensembles. He also enjoys teaching, writing, and lecturing about Indian Classical Music. He has transcribed over 200 Hindustani ragas in English for use by English speaking students of music. He also has a long standing deep interest in Karnatik music and is striving to deepen his knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of Karnatik music through study and performance. In pursuance of this interest, he has collaborated with the Veena exponent Smt. Durga Krishnan in presenting Karnatik and Hindustani Music Jugalbandi concerts. The first of these concerts was presented at the University of Vermont in Oct. 1995, and others at the Sri Venkateshwar Temple, Bridgewater, NJ in Sept. 1998, and at the Chinmaya Marututi Center, Andover, MA in April 2007. Since 1992, he has played with the ensembles supporting Bharatnatyam arangetrams for the students of Smt. Neena Gulati and other dance teachers in the Boston area, Maryland, and Florida.
He retired in 1996 as a Professor of Physics from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Suresh C. Mathur – Professional Profile
Born in 1930 in Fatehgarh, UP, India, Suresh developed a deep fascination for Music and Physics, early in his school years. He chose to pursue a career in Physics, receiving his M. Sc. degree in Physics from the University of Lucknow in 1950. He worked as a physicist in the Atomic Minerals Laboratory of AEC India in New Delhi during 1950-58. In 1958, he joined the University of Texas in Austin. He received his PhD degree in Nuclear Physics in 1964. He worked as a Research Scientist at the Texas Nuclear Corporation during 1962-67. He joined the Lowell Technological Institute (now the University of Massachusetts, Lowell) in 1967 as a Professor of Physics. He retired from the University in 1996. Since his retirement, he and his wife Padma have spent a very joyful time in helping to raise their two grandchildren, Katelyn and John. He has also continued to pursue his lifelong passion in the study, research, and practice of Hindustani and Karnatik Music systems.
Constitution
Karnatic Hindustani Music Circle (KHMC) is a not-for-profit Organization promoting Karnatic and Hindustani Musicians in the New England area for the last 14 years. KHMC is governed by an 8 member Executive Committee and an 8 member Board of Directors. KHMC frequently hosts concerts typically at volunteer member houses; concerts are in two segments between Karnatic and Hindustani music with a short break. Normal schedule for the concert is 2 PM to 6:30 PM on Saturdays. Well known local and visiting artistes perform in KHMC concerts. Frequently KHMC provides opportunities for talented young artistes to perform and show their skills and build confidence. KHMC Concert information is communicated to members through email, electronic invitations and through this website.
As part of KHMC membership, you may hear about music related news and events in New England area. If you would like to become a member and receive KHMC concert announcements, please send an e-mail to Praveena Naduthota, chairperson membership and elections committe at pnaduthota@yahoo.com. KHMC is a volunteer and non-profit organization, so please let us know if you are willing to help in KHMC activities and monetary contributions.
In 2008, the KHMC organization became a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation under the IRC Code 501 (c) (3). The Bylaws of the KHMC Corporation specifically state the following goals.
1. To foster the understanding, enjoyment, and education of the two classical music systems of India, the Karnatik Music and the Hindustani Music, by all music lovers.
2. To bring the Hindustani and the Karnatik Music communities together in providing a forum for the practitioners of these two music systems through concerts, seminars, literature, recordings, and class room teaching.
In pursuance of its Bylaws, the Membership of the KHMC organization elected in April 2008, a Board of Directors and an Executive Committee. The KHMC goals stated above are being pursued by these two elected bodies, with the involvement and support of the entire KHMC Membership. KHMC is striving to develop the following activities in pursuance of its organizational goals.
* Continuance of the house concerts of Karnatik and Hindustani Music. KHMC has held about 80 such concerts during 1995-2009.
* KHMC has held seminars studying comparative and distinctive features of Hindustani and Karnatik Music systems. KHMC plans to greatly expand this effort in the future.
* KHMC would plan to establish a library of musical literature and recordings for use by its Membership.
* KHMC would plan to develop teaching, research, and study of the comparative and distinctive features of the Karnatik and Hindustani Music systems, utilizing the large community of performers and scholars living in the Boston area, as well as guest lecturers from other parts of USA, India, and elsewhere.
* As a grassroots organization, KHMC would plan to organize Special Interest Groups (SIGs), in order to provide a forum for music teachers, music students, and performers to get together informally in small groups to pursue their special interests.
The KHMC by-laws can be accessed by clicking on the link below: