Vasant Rai
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Vasant Rai (1942-1985) was one of the most acclaimed performers of Hindustani classical music during his short life of 43 years. He was born in Paris and raised in India. Vasant Rai was the last student of Allauddin Khan, who is best known as the teacher of Ravi Shankar. To many musicians he was considered the best sarod player ever.
Rai came to New York City in 1973 and lived mainly in the Greenwich Village area when he was not touring. From 1969 to 1985 he conducted the Alam School of Music. Alla Rakha, Mahapurush Misra, and Shamta Prasad usually accompanied him on the tabla. During the early 1980s Vasant Rai and the jazz flutist Herbie Mann jammed together at clubs such as the Bottom Line and Village Gate, large crowds used to wait in long lines to hear these great musicians perform. Along with his great musicianship Vasant was known for his model good looks and modest personality.
His sons, Satyam Rai (b. 1982) and Andrew (Aniruddha) Rai(b. 1977), also play the sarod.
