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By Mabel Pais
World Music Institute turns milestone 40!
Join the World Music Institute (WMI) to celebrate 40 years of presenting world music and dance in New York City on October 16, 2025. WMI will honor those whose artistic vision and long-standing financial and Board service support have most significantly contributed to WMI’s success.
Food and drinks as well as live music will amplify the celebration.
All proceeds will benefit the next 40 years of bringing patrons the very best in music and dance from around the world.
PROGRAM
WHAT: WMI 40th Anniversary Celebration
WHEN: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
WHERE: 150 West 17th Street, New York, NY
COST: For tickets to the event, visit ci.ovationtix.com/35721/production/1244870?performanceId=11661457
WMI HONOREES
Robert and Helene Browning (The Founders of WMI)
Robert Browning has promoted world music concerts in New York City since 1976. He co-founded the Alternative Center for International Arts in 1975, providing a platform for under-represented artists. By 1985, growing interest in world music led Robert and his wife, Helene, to establish the World Music Institute (WMI), which, under their leadership, organized more than 1,500 concerts over 25 years. Browning retired from WMI in 2011 but he and Helene continue their legacy through Robert Browning Associates, remaining committed to high-quality traditional music and community collaboration. Learn more at robertbrowningassociates.com.
Kamala Cesar and Thomas Buckner
Kamala Cesar and Thomas Buckner have been long-time supporters as well as substantial artistic contributors to WMI over the past 40 years.
Kamala Cesar, a disciple of T. Balasaraswati in Bharata Natyam, is of Native American (Mohawk) and Filipino descent, born in Brooklyn, NY. She received the National Endowment for the Arts Folk Art Apprenticeship in 1986. In 1994, WMI presented her Indian Dance performance during the Navaratri Festival. Learn more at lotusmusicanddance.org.
Thomas Buckner has championed avant-garde music for five decades as a singer, producer, and promoter and WMI is proud to have teamed up with him as early as 1990 in introducing innovative programs showcasing contemporary music by American composers and performers.
For more than 40 years baritone Thomas Buckner has dedicated himself to the world of new and improvised music. In collaboration with a host of prominent composers and improvisers, Buckner continues to commission and perform numerous chamber works, orchestral pieces and song cycles, as well as improvisations, electronic constructions, and multi-media theater pieces. Learn more at thomasbuckner.com.
Daisy and David Paradis
Daisy Paradis has served on WMI’s Board of Directors since 1991 and between 2018 and 2024 co-chaired the Board with Andrew Faulkner. She is an accomplished musician and teacher and was a disciple of Maestro Ali Akbar Khan since 1966. She studied sitar with Krishna Bhatt and attended workshops with Pandit Ravi Shankar and Nikhil Banerjee. She is a co-founder of the Ali Akbar College of Music in California with Maestro Ali Akbar Khan and performed extensively on both the East and West Coasts as well as in India, with Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, Steve Gorn, and Pandit Samir Chatterjee, among others.
Daisy’s husband David Paradis is a writer and an amateur jazz drummer. He graduated from Boston College and has a master’s degree from The University of Iowa, where he was in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He founded and for ten years published and edited the literary journal ‘Pequod.’ He has published one novel, ‘Flew Away.’ Follow him @ instagram.com/daparadisedrums.
Rajika Puri and the late Anupam “Tino” Puri
Rajika Puri is a distinguished performer in the Indian classical dance forms of Bharata Natyam and Odissi, having gracefully exhibited her artistry throughout Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and India during her illustrious career, which includes a command performance for the President of Mexico. She has also studied Western music, American Modern Dance and flamenco. She earned an MA in the Anthropology of Human Movement from NYU, contributing her writings to both academic journals and dance publications. Learn more at rajikapuri.com.
Rajika is the visionary behind WMI’s critically acclaimed ‘Festival of Indian Dance: Dancing The Gods,’ which she expertly curated over 14 seasons, receiving accolades from The New York Times for its ability to attract “some truly god-like dancers”.
Anupam “Tino” Puri
The late Anupam “Tino” Puri, aside from being a successful and respected business leader, mentor, and philanthropist, was a true connoisseur and lover of the arts. He was the first Indian American hired by McKinsey & Company and founded McKinsey’s India practice in 1990. From 1996 onwards, he was an elected member of McKinsey’s Board of Directors, and from 1998 onwards oversaw all of McKinsey’s Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American practices. His wisdom, humility, and generosity are missed by all who have known him. Tino passed away in 2025 at the age of 79.
Javier Limón (WMI Honorary Board Member)
Javier Limón is a renowned composer, music producer, and guitarist specializing in flamenco, jazz, and world music. Educated at the Royal Conservatory in Madrid, he has collaborated with over 1,000 musicians, including notable artists including Paco de Lucía, Caetano Veloso, Mariza, and Anoushka Shankar, among others. A Grammy and 10 Latin Grammy Award winner, Limón has also garnered over 20 gold and platinum records. Learn more at javierlimon.net.
Farah Siraj (WMI Honorary Board Member)
Farah Siraj, named Jordan’s Musical Ambassadress, has an extensive international career performing at prestigious venues like the United Nations, Carnegie Hall, and MTV. She advocates for humanitarian issues, including women’s rights and refugee rights, and has performed at the UN Humanitarian Awards. Farah uses music as a medium for peace, having toured globally with her album NOMAD, which blends various musical styles. Learn more at www.farahsiraj.com.
MUSICIANS
Musicians Yacouba Sissoko and Arun Ramamurthy, Merhnam Rastegari with Roshni Samlal and Camila Celin, and DJ Nickodemus will perform.
World Music Institute
Founded in 1985, World Music Institute (WMI) has served as one of the leading presenters of world music and dance within the United States. WMI is committed to presenting the best in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world to enrich lives through the arts, promote awareness and appreciation for the world’s rich cultural traditions, and encourage cross-cultural dialogue and exchange. WMI presents at venues throughout the city and depends on both public and private funding to accomplish its mission. For more information, contact WMI @ info@worldmusicinstitute.org or call (212) 545-7536.
Follow the World Music Institute online!
Tiktok: @wminyc
Facebook: @worldmusicinstituteNYC
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Youtube: @WorldMusicInstitute
Linktree: @wmi
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Education, Business, and Cuisine.