Indian classical music at the library

Music professor Jaishree Prasad played the Veena, a classical Indian musical instrument, at the community room of the Evanston Public Library Sunday afternoon.

Several dozen people watched as she played the instrument that typically is used to play Karnatak or South Indian classical music.

The Veena is somewhat akin to the Sitar, a Northern Indian stringed instrument that was introduced to many Americans in the 1960s when it was featured in some recordings by The Beatles.

Prasad is the author of a book on the Veena and has compsed and directed music for Indian films and television shows.