It is sometimes easy to forget that Penn Masala is a group of 20-year-olds taking the international stage. Formed in 1996 by students of Indian and South-Asian origin, Penn Masala has emerged as one of the strong voices of Eastern and Western fusion singing in the last few decades. From collaborations with Vishal Dadlani and Benny Dayal to receiving praise from Aamir Khan, the group has seen success despite continual transitions. The Homecoming tour in May is their first trip to India in six years. 

Source of the masala

“I think the reason the group was started was to enable Indians to express themselves,” says Prateek Adurty, the incoming musical director for the troupe. “The simple act of singing together weaves a sense of community that instrumental music does not essentially have,” the Biology and Finance sophomore at University of Pennsylvania tells us via the phone from the United States of America.