Pandit Venkatesh Kumar gives a majestic and outstanding performance of Raag Patdeep in this clip, extracted from his first UK and international debut performance at Darbar Festival in London. His gayaki blends motley of schools ranging from Gwalior to Kirana and Patiala. This is a concert that le...

In 2006, the Darbar Festival featured eminent vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty in two sessions. The first recital was a pure Hindustani classical presentation. However, the multi-talented Pandit Chakraborty left his audiences asking for more – the second presentation had to be a showcase of his s...

In the Hindu pantheon of gods, Bhairav is another name for Lord Shiva – the temperamental deity of unprecedented destruction. Shiva is an embodiment of spunk, reserve, might and dramatic fortitude. In addition to these traits, the raga Bhairav is anchored upon undercurrents of desolation and deep...

In 2006, Darbar presented Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty in an exclusive evening in his semi-classical avatar. The semi-classical or lighter segment is a by-product of folk music and an off-shoot of pure classical music that consists of a deluge of forms in which Pandit Chakraborty holds a position of r...

Recorded live against the stunning, rugged landscape of Mulshi, Maharashtra, we present to you one of the most melodious voices that has emerged from the Dharwad-Belgaon belt of western coastal India – Ramakant Gaikwad. In this video, Gaikwad brings the delightful blend of Kirana gharana fused wi...

In 2006, Darbar presented Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty in an exclusive evening in his semi-classical avatar – a gamut consisting of numerous forms in which the stalwart has deep knowledge, experience and authority. In this video, he performs a Krishna bhajan through which, he pays his tribute to Bhai ...

Ramkali is an early morning raga, often associated with Sikh devotional cultures. Many Sikh saints have set 'shabads' (spiritual verses) to the tune of this raga.

In the sprawling premises of the Bawali Rajbari, the 265-year-old heritage mansion-palace situated 35 kilometres outside of Kolkat...

In an unclaimed moment, Begum Sultana stole her listeners’ hearts with a marvellous rendition of this stunning raga – Raag Ambika Sarang. This raga was designed by Chidanand Nagarkar. The gandhar is omitted and elements of Shuddha Sarang and Kafi are blended together. According to Rajan Parrikar,...

Begum Parveen Sultana gives an outstanding performance of this morning raga, Gurjari Todi, at the Darbar Festival 2007. After a last-minute visa-related issue of the scheduled artists leading to a cancellation of their concerts, she generously agreed to fill the morning slot at the Phoenix theatr...

In 2006, Darbar presented Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty in an exclusive evening in his semi-classical avatar – a gamut consisting of numerous forms in which the stalwart holds a position of deep respect for his extensive knowledge, experience and authority on the subject.

In this video, he performs a ...

In this vibrant rendition of a traditional Ram bhajan, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty creates moments of ecstasies in an exclusive evening of semi-classical presentations from the Darbar Festival 2006. Apart from his expertise in Hindustani and Carnatic classical repertoires, the acclaimed Pandit Chakra...

Pandit Venkatesh Kumar holds a Doctoral degree in Indian classical music from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, one of the most austere institutions of Indian classical music in India. He has authored a text book that has been made a part of the academic syllabus of colleges running under the aegis of...

Raag Charukeshi is a recent Carnatic import into the Hindustani genre. It has primarily been a show-stopper in lengthy, pure Hindustani or Carnatic classical concerts. But this recital might take one by a pleasant surprise with Charukeshi hopping over from the pure classical arena to that of ligh...

‘Tum Ho Jagat Ke Data,’ (O’ Almighty, you are the creator of the universe) is a beautiful thumri that was composed by the late sitar legend, Ustad Vilayat Khan. It is set to Raag Bhairavi in a slow tempo of 7 beats (Rupak taal). Unlike most Bhairavi compositions which have a faster tempo and are ...

Watch this beautiful Miyan Malhar by the esteemed Pandits Rajan & Sajan Mishra from the 2016 Darbar Festival

Known as a torch-bearer of a strong lineage, Sadolikar’s Savani Nat comes as a welcome opening to the concert that is typical of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Specialising in ‘hybrid’ ragas of pentatonic structure, Savani Nat is a branch-out of the family of ‘Nats’. Basic ragas like Bhairav, Kedar,...

Begum Parveen Sultana’s rendition of Raag Maru Bihag is soothing, colourful and a celebration of the possibilities of the raga outside the ordinary. She opens her recital at the Darbar festival 2007 with this piece, introducing the raga with a brief alaap.

The expansion of the raga is done in de...

Enter the world of khayal through the velvety, expressive voice of Ustad Waseem Ahmed Khan and his penetrating sense of drama from the Agra gharana school of music. From a family of masters, Khan began his training at just six years old, and this is his debut UK performance. Witness the explorati...

Darbari Kanada is an extremely popular raga belonging to the cluster of Kanadas. Its origin is popularly attributed to Miyan Tansen, one of the ‘nine jewels’ of Mogul Emperor Akbar’s court. Its Persian name, referring to ‘darbar’ or royal court, bears the stamp. However, it is believed to be an a...

Basant means ‘spring’, the season of hope, rejuvenation and mirth. Apart from being a seasonal raga that conveys these emotions, Basant is also associated with love and romance that inevitably arouses feelings of longing, pain and devotion.

Sameehan Kashalkar’s stunning performance of Raag Bas...

This performance of Raag Kaunsi Kanada is the concluding recital of Shruti Sadolikar’s performance at the Darbar festival 2012. This is a rare raga ‘hybrid’ from the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, presented with an apt combination of intellect and aesthetics by Sadolikar. This gharana specializes in com...

Raag Jaunpuri is said to be a creation of King Hussain Shah of the Sharqi dynasty, the Islamic state that ruled northern India between 1394 and 1479. Their capital was Jaunpur, a city that still exists by the same name in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Hussain Shah had christened t...

As suggested by the name, Ahir Bhairav is a blend of two ragas –Bhairav, a primordial scale and Ahiri that owes its origin to a folk melody belonging to ‘Ahir’ or cowherds' communities residing on the fertile plains of the two Indian rivers – Ganga and Yamuna.    

Arati Ankalikar connects three...

Raag Maluha Maand is a rare repertoire of Begum Parveen Sultana; Although she has performed this tarana in many live concerts before, this piece from the Darbar festival 2007 stands out due to the panache with which she embellishes the composition on the spot. Coupled with that is the quality of ...