While the mandolin is often associated with European folk music, its impact on Indian classical music has been nothing short of remarkable, thanks to the sublimely talented late Mandolin U Srinivas (1969...
And why does it matter in the context of Indian classical music? There’s a quiet mystique that envelops Indian classical music. It’s touted as a timeless tradition weaving intricate melodies and rhythms...
Can ancient tradition be effectively passed on via Zoom? Recent years have seen a surge in digital innovations surrounding online Indian classical music education. Can the tradition keep up, and will this...
Learning Indian raga music has benefits in many facets of life The benefits of learning Indian classical music are well-mapped. As a holistic artform, it can help reduce anxiety, alleviate depression, increase...
Improvisation can improve emotional resilience – it can help us learn to ‘go with the flow’ Learning music –of any genre – has proven to have direct positive impacts on students....
Mental health issues are on the rise amongst children and young people. Is raga music from India the best natural anti-depressant? Parents are notorious for being worrywarts about their children. Is my...
When you think of the violin, you might envision an older gentleman in a tuxedo playing in a grand concert hall. But in Indian classical music, the violin takes on a whole...
The heart of qawwali with one of the most illustrious qawwals alive today “Is this Aysha-ji speaking?” The honeyed voice probes through static on my phone, dripping with a politeness it doesn’t...
Move over, Cinderella. The humble pumpkin has a higher purpose to fill. As a small team working to push the boundaries of Indian art, Darbar recognises that many musical milestones are only...
In the centuries-old tradition of Indian classical music, few living legends can claim to have single-handedly made history. Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was one of those few. An exponent of the dulcimer-like santoor,...