On February 20, 2025, Asia Society Seattle will host the second in our three-part series called SAM Talks: Seattle Speaker Series. The Series is designed and dedicated to promoting understanding of Asia and the Asia diaspora. It will showcase and feature Asian and Asian American artists, writers, business and community leaders and others engaged with Asia, and hear them share their work, ideas, experiences, and impact.

The second speaker and performer in our series is Grammy award-winning, violin maestro Ganesh Rajagopalan, heralded as one of the contemporary master musicians of Indian classical music. He noted for his virtuosic tonal excellence and wide-ranging creative genius. Recognized as a child prodigy, he has played violin since the age of seven, rising to international fame and touring the world at first with his brother Sri Kumaresh and performing with other luminaries of Indian Music tradition. Ganesh transcends classical Carnatic repertoire to create scintillating fusions with contemporary elements and sounds. 

Join Asia Society Seattle on Feb 20, 2025 to hear Ganesh share his personal and professional story, as well as perform live on stage from the Seattle Asian Art Museum mainstage! This program is suitable for families.

This speaker series is a collaboration between Asia Society Seattle and Seattle Asian Art Museum. 

Tickets are available now! Tickets are $25 for nonmembers/$10 for members.  Become a member today! Each ticket includes complimentary, after-hours access to the Seattle Asian Art Museum galleries!

Press must email [email protected] for registration.

Speaker Bio

Heralded as one of the contemporary master musicians of Indian classical music, violin maestro Ganesh Rajagopalan is noted for his virtuosic tonal excellence and wide-ranging creative genius. Recognized as a child prodigy, he has played violin since the age of seven, rising to international fame and touring the world at first with his brother Sri Kumaresh and performing with other luminaries of Indian Music tradition, including tabla master Zakir Hussain.

However, Ganesh Rajagopalan's musical horizons are eclectic and broad, transcending classical Carnatic repertoire to create scintillating fusions with contemporary elements and sounds. He composes original ragas and sets tunes for the lyrics of great composers as well as creating scores for film, theatre, and dance productions, including extensive work for noted film director A.R. Rahman. An experienced educator who has taught around the world, including at Princeton, Stanford and other universities, he has founded his own music schools in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle. He also plays with Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin in the groundbreaking fusion ensemble, Shakti, legendary for its marriage of Indian music and modern jazz.

He is also the only Indian Violin player to have won a Grammy.

Recently, he was featured in the renowned Indian media outlet, Business Standard, as one of the Top 50 Indians excelling globally in business and the arts since 1975.

Check out photos and video from the first speaker talk of the series with Olympians Apolo Ohno and Taylor Swanson here. 

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