The Sound of Bollywood: A.R. Rahman Through the Ages x RINI
The Red Pavilion256 Ingraham Street, New York 11237
The Sound of Bollywood: A.R. Rahman Through the Ages brings singer and violinist Harini “Rini” Raghavan and a five-piece band to The Red Pavilion for contemporary reworkings of music from Rahman’s three-decade discography. Rini’s arrangements draw together Indian classical roots, electronic textures and progressive jazz-pop. She is joined by tabla artist and storyteller Praveen Narayanaswamy, drummer Maxime Cholley, guitarist Andrew Cheng and bassist Marcelo Maccagnan. The program centers the songs of the Oscar and Grammy-winning Slumdog Millionaire composer, widely known as the “Mozart of Madras,” through Rini’s Indian Jazztronica approach.
Chennai-born and now based in New Jersey, Rini is a 2023 New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellow whose work combines Carnatic influences with electronic and jazz-pop sensibilities. Her credits include a featured performance on the Grammy-nominated album Shuruaat, and she has recorded and performed with A.R. Rahman, Bill Whelan and Idan Raichel. Her appearances have ranged from Lincoln Center to the United Nations General Assembly. Rini also composes for screen, including the score for Netflix’s The Fame Game, starring Madhuri Dixit. Narayanaswamy brings Hindustani classical mastery alongside cross-genre collaborations, with rhythm at the core of his work as a performer and mentor.
The Red Pavilion offers a striking blend of Asian neo-noir aesthetics and live jazz performances that create a captivating evening. The venue’s interior channels a 1960s Hong Kong vibe with red lanterns, velvet curtains, and smoky lighting that envelop the room in a cinematic glow. Guests can expect a dynamic program featuring jazz, cabaret, aerial performances, and culturally rich events that honor AAPI heritage. The space functions as a teahouse by day and transforms into a sultry nightclub with a full bar serving inventive Asian herbal cocktails by night. Shows often include multiple sets and sometimes late-night DJ sessions, encouraging both attentive listening and socializing. The Red Pavilion’s intimate stage brings performers close to the audience, making every note and movement feel immediate and immersive.