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Sounds of India: Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla

Friday 19 June 2026

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla Born and raised in Britain, he is unusual in performing both santoor and khayal vocals within a single concert. In 2008, he became the youngest artist to headline at Darbar Festival. He is joined by Jasdeep Singh on jori—a pair of drums from the Punjabi tradition.

This concert showcases how a raga can be expressed through different mediums. Kaviraj may begin on santoor, establishing the raga’s mood and characteristic phrases, then shift to voice for a bandish (composition) that reveals the same raga through lyrics and vocal ornamentation. The jori provides a distinctive rhythmic foundation—its sound is deeper and more resonant than tabla, rooted in the devotional music traditions of Punjab. Audiences will hear how melody and rhythm constantly interact, building towards climactic exchanges between soloist and percussionist.

Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla santoor & vocals
Jasdeep Singh jori

A Season of Indian Classical Music

Darbar brings Indian classical music to St Martin-in-the-Fields with four concerts showcasing some of the UK’s finest performers. From the shimmering santoor to the expressive human voice, these concerts offer an accessible introduction to one of the world’s oldest living musical traditions.

Indian classical music is built on two core concepts: raga (melodic framework) and tala (rhythmic cycle). Unlike Western classical music, performances are largely improvised within these structures—musicians respond to the moment, the acoustic, and the audience. Each concert is unique.

Dates, Times & Book

Fri 19 Jun 1:00 PM £10 Book

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