Ronobir Lahiri represents the destination of Bombay at Toast to the Casa: Adventure Awaits!

Casa Romantica’s imminent annual fundraiser Toast to the Casa is known for our superb theming. Toast to the Casa’s 2021 theme, Adventure Awaits!, celebrates the organization’s bright future by inviting guests to adventure around the world, visiting exotic destinations featuring cuisine, exhibitions, and performances experienced through the glamorous lens of mid-century air travel. The era-appropriate destinations include London, Rio De Janeiro, Waikiki, and Bombay. That theming shines through with our entertainment, including our sitar performer Ronobir Lahiri, representing the destination of Bombay. Learn about his experience as an artist and why supporting the arts is so important in our interview. 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you start playing the sitar?

I started playing sitar as a teenager, born and raised in the US, then took a year off of college to live in India and study music. The intense training during that year of my youth really informed my musicianship throughout my life.

You’ve been playing music for two decades as well as composing music and acting on stage and on screen. What advice can you give to young artists to keep going?

My advice to young artists is to keep practicing. There’s a lot of distraction now in the information age, especially with the heavy pull of instant fame on social media. But I find that any success that is too easily achieved is also easily lost. It’s best to keep your head down, do the work, and be uncompromising in your judgment of yourself. Only you know if it’s good. You can easily find a couple of thousand followers on Instagram that will tell you you’re awesome, but only you know in your heart if you really are awesome. And in my opinion, the only way to be awesome is to put in the hard work.

Why is supporting the arts so important?

The arts in any culture serve to hold up a mirror to society. They show us our best selves, or what we could possibly be, but also reflect back to the worst of us. Supporting the arts is essential to the evolution of our humanity.

What excites you about playing at Toast to the Casa: Adventure Awaits?

I love the Casa Romantica venue! I’ve played there several times, and I’m so excited to be included in this wonderful and important celebration when we can all come together after a long dark year apart.

Jet set away at Toast to the Casa: Adventure Awaits!  Adventure around the world in the glamourous spirit of mid-century air travel with cuisine and performances. Proceeds support Casa Romantica’s programs for all ages and historic site preservation. Buy your tickets before September 1 to receive early-bird pricing of $175!  Purchase Tickets >>