Welcome to Darbar Festival 2026
Now in its 21st edition, this five-day festival of Indian classical music brings together leading artists, late-night performances and a programme of talks and participatory events across our centre — celebrating the distinct strands of the Indian classical tradition in all their breadth and depth. And while we honour the masters who have shaped this tradition across generations, we have this year taken a deliberate, considered risk: to bring before some of the world’s most distinguished stages artists who are, for many audiences here, entirely unknown. Artists who are extraordinary. Artists who deserve to be heard.
That is what the Shock of the New means at Darbar.
Concerts at the Milton Court
Scroll below to explore the concerts at Milton Court, Guildhall School of Music this year
Conversations to explore beyond cocnert hall
Also explore our other performances
Further Articles to read
Live Indian classical music is a transcendent and transformative experience like no other. And while Darbar has made a repository of high-quality content available online—with over 400 videos uploaded on our YouTube…
There is hardly a culture in the world that does not recognise the healing power of music. In biblical times, it is said that David played the harp to rid King Saul…
Could Rasa and Bhava be the bedrock of modern-day Psychology? And how does music lead to religious enlightenment? It’s often said that the Indian artistic ethos is not fragmented or neatly…
Individual expression is highly valued in an artist, and this is no different within the context of Indian classical music. But whilst being allowed to develop a personal style, the Indian music…
The conventions of concert etiquette for Western classical music are a little daunting. Don’t breathe heavily. Don’t sneeze or cough. Don’t clap. Don’t talk and don’t fidget! It wasn’t always this way….
Devotional music has played a profound role in the history of Indian classical music, deeply intertwined with spiritual and religious traditions. Rooted in the sacred texts and practices of Hinduism, Sikhism, and…