Morning Ragas & Poetry for International Day of Peace

Rothko Chapel

In collaboration with Jaipur Literature Festival Houston, the Rothko Chapel hosted classical Indian quartet Anirudh Varma Collective and Houston Poet Laurate Aris Kian for a contemplatived morning music and poetry experience inside the sanctuary followed by light bites on the Plaza. About the presenters The spirit of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, held annually in Jaipur, India, travels across countries and continents with a caravan of writers, thinkers, poets, influencers, balladeers and raconteurs. The Anirudh Varma Collective (AVC) is a contemporary Indian classical ensemble from New Delhi, India. It is led by pianist, composer & producer, Anirudh Varma. The Anirudh Varma Collective comprises musicians & artistes from across India, America, and Canada. The Collective aims to discover, re-discover, and present the tradition & diversity of Indian music in a contemporary yet rooted manner in order to reach and connect with the masses. Aris Kian Brown is currently the Houston Poet Laureate 2023-2025 and ranked #2 in the 2023 Womxn of the World Poetry Slam. Previously an Inprint C. Glenn Cambor Fellow, she received her MFA from the University of Houston. She was ranked #10 in the 2020 Women of the World Poetry Slam and #4 in the nation at the 2019 ACUI College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational with UH team Coogslam. She is a current member of Smoke Slam alongside LeChell “The Shootah” R.H, R.J. Wright, Blacqwildflowr, and Sherrika Mitchell, coached by Ebony Stewart. About the observance This event was held in observance of International Day of Peace which takes place annually on September 21st. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to reace above all differences and to contribute to building a global culture of peace. This year's theme is "Actions for Peace," recognizing our individual and collective responsibilities to foster peace and more just and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence.