Musician and author Saskia Rao-de Haas is hailed as a pioneer for creating and introducing her own instrument, the Indian Cello to Indian Classical music. Flute Maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia speaks of his disciple Saskia as “someone who has been taught by God.” Critics and audiences alike have praised her for artistic depth and technical virtuosity. She has also authored India’s first ever music curriculum Sangeet4All and over 60,000/ children have been influenced by this unique curriculum. Her latest book on Indian music history, Shāstra, was recently released at the Asia Societies in New York and Houston as a part of JLF USA.

A protégé of Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar, Pandit Shubhendra Rao is described as “not only as a master of his instrument but also as a thinking musician, constantly endeavouring to carry his instrument beyond conventional boundaries.” Critics and connoisseurs hail him as a worthy successor to his Guru’s tradition. His relentless service in promoting Indian music has made him a highly respected figure in the field of music and education across the world.

The Bluegrass Journeymen, a collective of skilled musicians, aim to expand the global reach of bluegrass while fostering cross-cultural connections. Since 2016, they’ve toured India, including a performance at the 2024 Jaipur Literature Festival. Their tours focus on performance, education, collaboration, and outreach, shaping a distinctive world-folk acoustic fusion rooted in bluegrass. At JLF Colorado, they’re joined by longtime collaborator Nabanita Sarkar from Kolkata. TBJ is celebrating the release of HMV Sessions, recorded in India, highlighting the diverse global influences in their bluegrass sound.