Chandigarh, February 7: Brazilian visionary cellist, conductor, and Rotary Peace Fellow Diego Carneiro, in a mission to spread peace in the world performed with Indian classical musicians at a concert held in Tagore Theatre, here today.

Organised by the Rotarians of the city with Rotary Club Chandigarh Midtown hosting the show, Diego is travelling through India as a part of his peace mission having arrived yesterday in the city.

He performed yesterday at Amity University Punjab in Mohali at the Rotary Peace Summit of District 3080, and would be travelling to Delhi, Kochi, Coimbatore, Chennai to perform and touch the Rotarians and youngsters to inspire them to get in touch with the our natural environment and work to bring peace and harmony in the world.

Having come from the Amazon region in Brazil, he learnt piano playing when his mother asked him to learn music, and later he moved over to cello playing that “replicates the human founds”, and is very close to my heart.

He jammed with the group of Indian classical musicians from ‘Arohi’ group today and regaled the audience.

Diego’s life's work bridges music and humanitarian action, spreading messages of peace across different parts of the country.
Born in the Brazilian Amazon, Diego launched his mission early, founding an Orchestra and a school in the Amazon, driven by a belief that music can be a powerful force for transformation.

He recalled that he had his first encounter with Indian classical music in Germany when he lost his way to a music festival and landed up in another fest of Indian music, and performed with them for almost three hours at night, which was much of a soothing and meditative experience.

“I am learning Indian classical music and am falling in love with it, “ because of its meditative nature, and said that he was surprised that Indian sikh scripture is based on all classical ragas.

He said that he is composing “Paths to Peace” song with many international musicians and would also be releasing a book with the same name at Calgary in Canada at the Rotary International Convention in June this year.

His recent cello performances have not only graced major global stages but have also become beacons of support for social causes, directly impacting vulnerable communities, including young refugees.

As an ambassador for peace recognized by the Rotary Peace Center and Makerere University, Diego leverages his talent and platform to inspire unity and hope, with the profound conviction that music can heal and uplift those in need. Diego’s commitment to empowering others through music is not only rooted in performance but also in fostering resilience and unity within vulnerable communities worldwide.

“My orchestras and organizations seek to network and develop communities using music as a tool and language of cultural diplomacy and transformation, our causes are related to medicine, education, environment, conflict zones,” he says.