Gurbaksh Matharu + Harkiret Bahra

Recorded at Darbar Festival 2022, on 15th October, at Milton Court, Barbican, London. Musicians: - Eeshar Singh (Santoor) - Yashwant Vaishnav (Tabla) Raag Kaunsi Kanada, Thaat: Asavari, Samay: Midnight An instrument brought into the Indian classical form by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma half a century ago, his student Harjinder Matharu has produced one of the finest young Bradford born emerging young talents, Eeshar Singh. Darbar is proud to present his first major London concert. Singh’s musical maturity precedes him as he presents afternoon ragas from the north Indian classical style. This complex instrument produces a beautiful trance like sound, which Sufi mystics use as an accompanying instrument in their divine music. He is accompanied by the child prodigy tabla player Vaishnav, who accompanies this percussive style instrument, the santoor, in a sophisticated and intellectually breathtaking improvisational groovy rhythm. The structure of the performance elements includes loosely the alaap, where the raga is slowly unfolded into its mood and musical phrases, to the jor – which brings the rhythmic development to a slight pulse – to the jhalla, the fast-paced improvisation and trance like, ecstatic state. Submit your senses to afternoon ragas as Singh blends resplendent vocal colour that will wash away the hustle and bustle of daily life.