Articles

VR360 Festival | Darbar brings Indian classical music into the realm of virtual reality. We see VR as a way of bringing global listeners closer to the roots of these great art forms - in nature, and...

Welcome to Living Traditions - a new written collection by Darbar's George Howlett, exploring how music with ancient roots is adapting to a fast-paced, interconnected modern world. Expand your appreciation through 21 different perspectives!

The Gwalior khayal star discusses religious tolerance, changing teaching styles, and her recent book. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

The sitar genius discusses musical purity, hyper-discipline, and following the green light when improvising. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

The Jaipur-Atrauli vocalist talks ragas from the past, rhythms as warrior-heroes, and the limits of approaching music scientifically. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

The Benares tabla maestro discusses jazz, turning down the Sugababes, and the links between rhythm and food. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

The Patiala khayal superstar discusses her unique cultural heritage, the power of physical expression, and how to lose yourself in the divine. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

The Hindustani slide guitar pioneer discusses instrument creation and the hidden harmony in ragas. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

The bansuri master discusses therapeutic music, life with his guru Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, and the primal nature of the flute. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Raag Chandranandan ('Moonstruck') is a modern classic. What does its curious tale tell us about the nature of the form? By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Examining why patterns of three have such a distinctive power to tell concise stories in music, art, and literature - and tabla. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Discover Indian classical music via styles you like - this article builds sonic bridges to rock, jazz, jungle, hip-hop, house, and more. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Exploring ten strange, beautiful instruments from India's classical traditions. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Breaking down the origins and shapes of Raag Malkauns, an auspicious form with dark, divine origins. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

The santoor's icy sparkle is a comparative newcomer to Indian classical music. Here's a seven-part primer on this captivating instrument. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Tabla masters combine jaw-dropping precision with hugely imaginative improvisation. Here's a primer on the world's most versatile drum. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Going in deep on Hindustani music's most famous string instrument. Part 1 examines its design, techniques, and history. By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Going in deep on Hindustani music's most famous string instrument. Part 2 looks to the future... By George Howlett | Part of Living Traditions: 21 articles for 21st-century Indian classical music

Raag Darbari | Darbari is among the most revered in the whole Hindustani tradition. Its name, like our own, is derived from durbar, Persian for royal court - and it is little stretch to imagine its majestic tones echoing across marble floors...

The sarod is a plucked string instrument, now as popular and predominant in North Indian classical music as the sitar.

There are two kinds of Indian classical music, Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian), descended from the same parent tradition which had its roots in ancient worship rituals.

A vocal performance of classical Indian music is ranked higher than a purely instrumental one (see 'the pecking order').

All Indian classical music attempts to imitate the nuances of vocal music, and instruments are often judged by their ability to either sound like human vocal chords or perform the same intricate ornamentation associated with the voice.

Khayal is now the most dominant form of North Indian classical vocal music. The word (also spelt khyal) comes from the Persian for imagination...