festival brochure

at Southbank Centre
Festival 2016
in association with
16–18 September 2016
This year with bigger
concerts and performances
than ever before!
‘The highest quality performances of
Indian classical music’
Festival 2016 Don’t miss a beat... Morning concerts • Talks
and debates • Indian music course • Yoga with music • Indian music
CD store • Films • Free family events and much more…
Indian Music Course
If you’ve just started to get interested in Indian classical music or are a seasoned
connoisseur but want to get a deeper understanding, this Indian Classical Music
Appreciation course is run by our inspiring teachers. They will help the theory come
alive for you so that you can further understand and enjoy this classical form.
In-conversation sessions
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his wife Subhalakshmi Khan give a candid insight into
their lives. Our second talk focuses on women in music, focusing on the fascinating
account of sringara (erotic love) and bhagti (devotional expression), from the times of
the tawaif/devadasi to the challenges women face today in music.
Morning Concerts
Experience the beauty of morning Indian ragas overlooking London’s iconic London
Eye and Big Ben. Roopa Panesar returns to Darbar Festival after her sold-out concert
in 2011 accompanied by the tabla legend, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee.
Yogabliss
Come along to gently stretch, bend, twist and still your mind in these fun easy going
classes which are open to all levels. The hugely talented Giuliano Modarelli, trained in
the classical Indian tradition, plays the guitar during the classes.
Read on to find out more about our main
events, the largest double-bill concerts in
the history of Darbar!
Event info: darbar.org
Tickets: southbankcentre.co.uk/darbarfestival | 0844 847 9910
Explore the finest improvised music in the world. If you have never been to an Indian classical
concert, then join us and discover an enchanting world of melody and rhythm. The concept of emotions (rasas)
embedded within Indian arts is said to have been formulated over thousands of years ago and relates to the feeling
that is evoked when experiencing art, music, dance and cinema. Don’t miss your chance to experience a beautiful
and deeply moving emotional experience.
‘You rarely
hear music as
thrilling as this’
Evening Standard
This year we have changed our seating plan so that you can now buy seats in the front rows and sit amongst
musicians from the Festival. These tickets will go fast so book early.
Friday 16 September 2016 – Double Bill Concert
Royal Festival Hall, 6.30pm–10.30pm
Universal Notes, Rakesh Chaurasia & Niladri Kumar
Ticket Prices:
A
£75/B£50/C£35/D£28/E£15
Or save with the Festival pass
F I R S T
H A L F
Darbar launches this year’s Festival
with Universal Notes which brings
together two great traditions (Western
and Indian classical music) in a
groundbreaking collaboration between
today’s most imaginative and skilled
musicians. This premiere marks the
culmination of a year-long project
between Darbar and Philharmonia
Orchestra, which deliberately moves
away from simply jamming or creating a
‘fusion’ piece. It is inspired by the Indian
raga, and developed through intensive
workshops in both India and the UK,
bringing talent together to create a
work of depth and beauty.
S E C O N D
Rakesh Chaurasia
H A L F
Niladri Kumar
Rakesh Chaurasia returns with the
magical sound of the Indian bansuri,
held to be the instrument of Lord
Krishna from the Hindu Dharma.
Chaurasia is hailed as one of the finest
bansuri masters and follows in his
uncle Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia’s
footsteps. Tabla maestro Pandit
Anindo Chatterjee, who has made
his mark with his genius rhythmic
beauty and improvisation, provides
accompaniment. Niladri Kumar is the
innovator everyone loves. Together with
Pandit Kumar Bose on tabla, they delve
into the depths of playful improvisation
into a trance-like state.
Saturday 17 September 2016 – Double Bill Concert
Royal Festival Hall, 6pm–10.30pm
Aruna Sairam, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Rajan & Sajan Mishra
Ticket Prices:
A
£75/B£50/C£35/D£28/E£15
Or save with the Festival pass
F I R S T
H A L F
India’s stalwart classical musicians
grace this intoxicating double bill of
Carnatic and Hindustani music. Aruna
Sairam returns after her sell-out concert
at Darbar Festival in 2009. Hear her
captivating, powerful voice alongside
her first duet with Jayanthi Kumaresh,
India’s finest saraswati veena maestro.
Both Patri Satish Kumar and Dr S
Karthick bring flare and hypnotic
rhythmic grooves in accompaniment on
the mridangam and ghatam.
Aruna Sairam
S E C O N D
H A L F
Rajan & Sajan Mishra
India’s khayal superstars, Pandits Rajan
and Sajan, make their much-awaited
debut at Darbar. They are the world’s
greatest exponents of the Benares
gharana school of music. They reveal
a rich tapestry of sumptuous ragas,
from the touchingly simple to the
awe-inspiring. One of India’s greatest
tabla masters, Pandit Kumar Bose
provides magical accompaniment.
Sunday 18 September 2016 – Double Bill Concert
Royal Festival Hall, 5pm–9.30pm
Shubha Mudgal & Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Ticket Prices:
A
£75/B£50/C£35/D£28/E£15
Or save with the Festival pass
F I R S T
H A L F
India’s music legends feature in
this special double bill. Celebrated
Shubha Mudgal is lauded for her
musical intelligence, dynamic vocal
abilities and effortless lyricism.
She is equally renowned for her
flamboyant performances and her fresh
perspectives on Indian ragas, rooted in
the khayal and thumri styles of Indian
vocal. Stalwart musicians, Aneesh
Pradhan and Sudhir Nayak, provide
accompaniment that reaches your inner
core and transports you from the hustle
and bustle of daily life.
How to
Book...
S E C O N D
H A L F
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is recognised as
one of the world’s most distinguished
sarod musicians. He reveals a rich
tapestry of musical heritage through
his raga exploration, from simple
elaboration to awe-inspiring climax. For
the first time ever both Pandit Anindo
Chatterjee and Pandit Kumar Bose,
both hailed India’s most brilliant tabla
masters, provide Khan with thoughtful,
powerful accompaniment.
Shubha Mudgal
in person (no transaction fees):
No transaction fees for Southbank Centre Members.
online*:southbankcentre.co.uk/darbarfestival
by phone*:0844 847 9910 9am–8pm (daily)
Save money with the
Darbar Festival Pass for only £150
*Transaction fees may apply: £1.75 online, £2.75 over the phone. No transaction fees for bookings made in person or for Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles
**Festival passes can only be purchased over the phone Disclaimer: Information in this brochure is correct at the time of going to print. Darbar is not responsible for unforeseen
circumstances that result in changes to the published programme. All photos are licensed to or are copyright of Darbar Arts Culture Heritage Trust.
For the latest news, event information, hundreds of performances and much more, visit
darbar.org