Nature and Narratives + Community Art Premiere

An immersive production featuring rare traditional instruments, exploring themes of nature and belonging.
Featuring acclaimed artists from India, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Chethan Anant – Bansuri & Vocals 

Tzu Tsen Wu – Plucked Instruments 

Chamni Sripraram (Ajarn Chamni) - Thai Xylophone Solo (Ranad Ek)

Pak Ngurah Ensemble: Gusti Ngurah Kertayda

Artist Lineup & Bios:

Chethan Anant: Chicago-based Indian classical musician, multi-instrumentalist, and educator blending Hindustani classical music with jazz, Carnatic, blues, and electronic collaborations. Founder of The Bansurist LLC.

Tzu Tsen Wu: Taiwanese musician specializing in zhongruan and liuqin, also playing ukulele, guitar, piano, banjo, and jakhee. Performs internationally and teaches while pursuing a master’s in World Music at Northern Illinois University.

Chamni Sripraram (Ajarn Chamni)  is a Thai music educator who teaches at Northern Illinois University and has led performances, workshops, and cultural outreach at institutions across the U.S. since starting his career at Chicago's Thai Temple in 1996, while also serving as longtime artistic director of the Thai Cultural and Fine Arts Institute. His decades of cultural and community service have earned him honors including the Asian American Hall of Fame, the Asian Humanitarian Award, and the President's Volunteer Service Award.

Pak Ngurah Ensemble: Gusti Ngurah Kertayda, Lead, is a graduate of the National Performing Arts Institute (KOKAR) in Denpasar, Indonesia. He is now the director of Indonesian Dance of Illinois, a non-profit organization in the greater Chicago area promoting Indonesian culture through dance and music.

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Community Art Premiere

This program includes a community art unveiling of Tapestries toward the Future, a collaborative textile project led by artist Marvin Veloso. Developed from May through August 2026, the project brings together contributed textiles and fashion accessories to create a collage-like tapestry that explores themes of environmental change, community place-making, and artistic expression.

The completed work will be presented alongside the performance, inviting audiences to reflect on how everyday materials can carry personal histories, cultural meaning, and collective possibilities. Marvin Veloso will also be present to share insights into his creative process and the community engagement that shaped the project.

Tapestries toward the Future is a SECA-funded initiative that celebrates collaboration, sustainability, and the transformative potential of community-based art.