Rita Sahai was inducted into the Culture & Art category in 2013.
Rita Sahai is an acclaimed composer, performer and teacher of Hindustani Classical Music. Born in India, Rita was chosen at age nine to study with the renowned vocalist Pandit Rama Shankar Mishra. At 14, she won first prize in the prestigious "All India Music Competition." She later studied in the United States with the world famous sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Rita's dedication and unique vocal talent have brought her the title "Gayan Alankar", or Jewel of Music. Rita tours throughout the world and has collaborated on projects as diverse as a bluegrass recording led by Grammy Award-winning artist Bella Fleck to Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, "Skyclad". She has produced two well-received solo albums as well and currently teaches music throughout the Bay Area and at UC Davis.
