Beyond Sitar: Ustad Shahid Parvez

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Silk Street
London, EC2Y 8DS United Kingdom
25 October 2025
3:00 pm
Darbar Festival 2025

Inside the mind of a maestro, an exclusive journey with Ustad Shahid Parvez.

Single Bill Shahid Parvez

Darbar Festival presents an extraordinary glimpse into the musical philosophy of one of the world’s greatest living sitar virtuosos, the legendary Ustad Shahid Parvez.

In this rare lecture demonstration, Parvez, a seventh-generation torchbearer of the revered Etawah Gharana (school of music), reveals the profound artistic vision that has established him as perhaps the most influential sitarist of our time. Discover how this legendary maestro developed his revolutionary gayaki ang (vocal style) of sitar playing, transforming the instrument into what critics have called ‘the singing sitar.’ Witness first-hand the techniques that allow him to extract astonishing subtleties from his strings, creating the distinctive slides, nuances, and emotional depth that have captivated audiences worldwide. Through personal insights, Ustad Shahid Parvez will share the artistic journey that has pushed the boundaries of what the sitar can express, from the meditative depths of alaap (unfolding of the raga without any rhythm) to the lightning-fast taans (rhythmic cycles) that leave listeners breathless.

This unprecedented opportunity concludes with a 30-minute Q&A session; your chance to engage directly with a living legend whose musical lineage stretches back over 200 years.

The hour talk follows a 30-minute Q&A with the audience.

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Within walking distance of a number of London Underground and Elizabeth Line stations, the closest being Barbican, St Paul’s, Farringdon and Moorgate

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Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

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Barbican: 4 min walk; Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Circle lines
Moorgate: 7 min walk; Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Circle, Northern lines, Elizabeth Line (use the Moorgate exit for Liverpool St stop)
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