Ragas with Soul: Surdarshan Chana and Gurbaksh Singh

Kicking off the New Year, Darbar presents the next in its intimate concert series. This 60-minute performance features Surdarshan Channa on Jori and Gurbaksh Singh on Esraj, showcasing rare musical traditions from the heart of the Indian subcontinent.

About the Performers

Surdarshan Channa
A rising talent, Surdarshan Channa is a skilled tabla and Jori-Pakhawaj player, known for his mastery of rare compositions and versatility in both solo and accompaniment. Starting tabla at just four years old under Punjabi grandmaster Ajit Singh Matlashi, he later trained with Ustad Gurmeet Singh Virdee and the legendary Shri Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari, honing the fierce Benares Gharana style while preserving his Punjabi Jori-Pakhawaj roots.

With a degree in classical tabla, Surdarshan has performed globally, accompanying renowned maestros and establishing himself as one of the UK's leading accompanists.

Gurbaksh Singh

Gurbaksh Matharu is an acclaimed Indian classical musician, celebrated for his mastery of bowed instruments including the Tarshehnai, Esraj, and Dilruba. A vocal exponent of traditional Gurbani music, his virtuosic playing seamlessly blends sarod and vocal repertoire styles, influenced by his mentors. With a unique dynamic style, he has enriched the repertoire and technique of the Tarshehnai while working on both traditional and contemporary music projects.

Gurbaksh gave his first solo recital at age 11 in 1992. In 2001, he was invited by Ustad Zakir Hussain to open the inaugural memorial concert for Ustad Alla Rakha in England. He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Talvin Singh, Pandit Sanju Sahai, and Ustad Sukhwinder Singh.