Rasik is a Hindi word meaning appreciator, and that's what the creator of Global Rhythms said he hopes students become when they participate in or watch the performance.
Srinivas Krishnan, a Miami University alumnus who graduated in 1987, began Global Rhythms in 1996. It is a mesh of sounds from non-Western cultures expressed through instrumental and dance performances.
Krishnan said Global Rhythms' goal fits in with Miami's new mission statement about engaging students. The aim of the performance is to engage the audience in a multicultural experience.
Krishnan also said the global awareness on campus is much better than when he attended the university, but that there is still room to improve.
"There are many positives today … there is a willingness for adventure," he said.
The show, which will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights in Hall Auditorium, features a slightly different cast each night.
Krishnan said the cast is a unique blend of talents. Friday's cast includes percussionist Valerie Dee Naranjo, African musician Paschale Younge, Broadway artist Jeff Queen and musician Barry Olsen. Saturday's includes Younge, Indian musician TH Subhashchandran and Asian musicians Ganesh Kumar, Sunaina Rao and Chandy. Various Miami ensembles will participate, as well.
"You cast certain people to fit a certain role," Krishnan said. "The role and the soul fit together. All (of the main performers) have beautiful soul in their music, but very different roles in society."
Associate professor of geology, Jonathan Levy, will be playing the harmonica in Friday's performance. It's his first time playing with Global Rhythms, but he said he's always wanted to participate.
"Part of college is just expanding your horizons-being introduced to new sounds, smells, tastes-(Global Rhythms) is just part of that," he said.
2001 Miami alumnus Pat Hernly has performed with the group since his first year at the university.
"I got involved in global rhythms as a freshman at Miami, playing the music of India, and I became very fascinated with the diversity of rhythms, the different colors and the music," Hernly said. "A lot of people have come and gone with the group and I've loved it so much, I've always stayed involved with it."
Hernly said Global Rhythms provides an opportunity for students to see how multicultural U.S. society is and to engage with it before they have to go into the "real world."
Tickets are on sale at the box office in the Shriver Center or online at www.tickets.muohio.edu. They are $7 for students and $9 for the public.
