At just 19, Fullerton resident Ahilan Hatti is one of the few musicians in the United States learning the santoor—a rare Indian classical instrument with a shimmering, harp-like sound.

The santoor, with its distinctive trapezoidal shape and 72 to 100 metal strings, is played by striking the strings with lightweight wooden mallets. Though centuries old, it remains little known outside South Asia.

Hatti began studying the instrument at age 7, first under Los Angeles-based musician Paul Livingstone before advancing to training with renowned maestro Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya. Under Bhattacharya, he underwent the prestigious ganda bandhan ceremony, which formalizes a lifelong commitment between teacher and disciple.

On Sunday, August 24, Hatti performed at the Mandir in Irvine during an evening of Indian classical music that brought together musicians, students, and community members.

The program opened with a workshop by Bhattacharya, a senior exponent of the Maihar Gharana (a lineage of Indian classical musicians) and recipient of India’s highest artistic honor, the Sangeet Natak Academy Award. He guided participants through the structure of ragas, rhythm cycles, and the art of improvisation.

Following the workshop, two young musicians presented classical recitals. Flutist Rama V. Rao performed Raag Hansadhwani and Raag Bhupali, while Hatti showcased Raag Jogkauns on the santoor, moving from slow (Vilambit) to fast (Drut Teental, a 16-beat cycle) tempo. They were accompanied on the tabla by Pandit Jyotirmay Roychowdhury.

After the concert, Bhattacharya praised the young musicians: “It is encouraging to see younger performers presenting classical traditions to international audiences,” he said. “These platforms not only extend the reach of Indian music but also foster cultural exchange.”

The event highlighted the enduring guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) tradition of Indian classical music while giving Southern California audiences a rare chance to hear the santoor performed live.