Darbar Festival 2024

Welcome to Darbar Festival 2024 – Indian classical music extravaganza comes to London

I am absolutely delighted to share the programme for the 2024 Darbar Festival with you. 

In its 19th year, the Darbar Festival returns to the Barbican Centre, with a magical mix of emerging raw young talent, master performers making their UK debut performances as well as world class legends, maestros and maestras. 
  
Darbar was set up in memory of Gurmit Singh Ji Virdee, an inspirational tabla player and teacher, and the Darbar Festival continues to be the perfect place to discover, in his legacy, an enchanting world of melody and rhythm. 
 
The DNA of Indian classical music is rooted in nature - ragas and talas are closely associated with animals, birds, weather and seasons, delivering a wholesome and holistic experience to enhance one’s wellbeing. Let Darbar take you on a journey to lose yourself in the music, and, in so doing, find yourself once again.  
 
As well as a chance to indulge your senses in this emotive music, this year we are broadening our wellbeing sessions which will include yoga with live music; breathwork; sacred sound bath as well as mantra and guided meditation sessions. Our ever-popular Indian music appreciation course, which will leave you with a nuanced appreciation of the art form. And finally, back by popular demand is our highly successful Pop-Up Market featuring small independent culturally diverse businesses. Stock up early for Diwali and Christmas presents!
 

Sandeep Virdee OBE
Artistic Director
Darbar Arts Culture and Heritage Trust

 ‘You rarely hear music as thrilling as this' Evening Standard

A four-day extravaganza of “the highest quality performances of Indian classical music” BBC Radio 3

“The best Indian music relies on improvisation and expertise, and this year’s festival, now an established
festival, provided both. There were events throughout the day, so ragas could be performed at the
appropriate times.” The Guardian