Witness the captivating rhythms of India as master percussionists Patri Satish Kumar, Giridhar Udupa, Sudarshan Chana, and Gurdain Rayatt unite for a spellbinding Taal Vadya performance. This exquisite Adi Talam piece, performed by some of the most sought-after percussion virtuosos, served as a brilliant interlude between the kalams, shabads, and compositions.
This stunning performance forms part of the Guru Nanak Message of Peace through Music project, celebrating the universal language of rhythm and harmony that transcends borders and brings communities together.

What is Taal Vadya?
Taal Vadya, which translates to "Percussion Ensemble," refers to concerts featuring renditions exclusively with percussion instruments that weave beautiful cadences of music in fixed or varying rhythms. A Taal Vadya Kacheri is an assembly of musicians and audience in the context of Carnatic and Hindustani percussion music, presented in concert format where music connoisseurs and common people gather to listen to classical music performances. These ensembles typically consist of six to eight percussion artists playing instruments like mridangam, ghatam, thavil, kanjira, and moorsing, though instruments like tabla, pakhawaj, or even Western drums may be used to diversify the performance.

About the Project  
Performance Date: 6 April 2025  
Venue: Barbican Centre, London  
This project explored how Guru Nanak’s timeless message of equality, compassion and spiritual awakening continues to resonate. Music was central to his mission—he travelled with Bhai Mardana, a Muslim rababi, using song to share spiritual wisdom beyond caste and creed. Darbar honoured this tradition by bringing musicians of diverse faiths onto one stage, spreading unity and peace.  

 

Credits: - 

Musicians 

Aruna Sairam (carnatic vocals) 
Zeeshan Ali (sufi vocals) 
Bhai Anantvir Singh (kirtania) 
Amrita Kaur (kirtania) 
Momin Khan (sarangi) 
Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam) 
Giridhar Udupa (ghatam) 
Surdarshan Chana  (tabla & jori) 
Gurdain Rayatt (tabla) 
Beibei Wang (da ga drum) 

 

Darbar Team:  

Sandeep Virdee OBE (Artistic Director) 
Simrat Lall (Darbar Festival Manager) 
María Guardiola (Festivals and Events Manager) 
Depesh Patel (Events Manager) 
Jamie Craven (Head of Design) 
Rahul Ravindran (Creative Video Editor) 
Sana Ejaz (Marketing Executive) 
Zahabiya Patharia (Marketing Executive) 
Christoph Bracher (Head of Sound) 

 

Filming Crew 

Pritpal Sagoo (Digital Consultant) 
Gurwinder Soor (Content Creator and Platform Manager) 
Tom Grancia (Technical Production) 
Carl Owen (Camera Operator) 
Chris Connel (Camera Operator) 
Anup Parmar (Camera Operator) 
Nick Morchang (Camera Operator) 

 

Technical Team 

Phil Jones (Front of House Sound) 
John Duckett (Sound Monitors) 
Mark Gardner (Lighting Designer) 
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Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical arts to stir and inspire. Since 2006, we have delivered live events, education, broadcasts and digital experiences, while supporting new talent from India and the UK. 

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