Recorded at Darbar Festival 2024 in the candlelit setting of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, London.

Musicians:

Eesher Singh (santoor)

Shahbaz Hussain (tabla)

Raag Gawati; Thaat: Bilawal; Samay: Evening
Raag Pahari; Thaat: Kafi; Samay: Late Evening / Night

In this intimate concert, Eesher Singh, one of the UK’s rising stars of the santoor, brings shimmering cascades of sound from this delicate hammered dulcimer of North India. He is joined by the ever-brilliant Shahbaz Hussain, a tabla virtuoso known for his impeccable rhythm and artistry.

Together, they unfold ragas with a balance of serenity and playfulness. Gawati offers a meditative opening, with gentle ripples of melody giving way to intricate rhythmic interplay. Pahari evokes nostalgia and tenderness, its folk-inspired strains coming alive under Eesher’s sensitive touch and Shahbaz’s masterful accompaniment.

The performance captures the essence of the Hindustani classical tradition—an exploration of melody and rhythm that is both timeless and deeply personal, all heightened by the serene glow of candlelight in one of London’s most iconic sacred spaces.