Sacred Song from the Subcontinent

Prabhat Rao is a leading khayal vocalist based in London, recognised for his ability to communicate the depth of classical music to diverse audiences. He has performed at the Barbican, Southbank Centre and Edinburgh Fringe, and is currently pursuing doctoral research at King’s College London. For this special evening concert, he gathers an ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists to explore the devotional traditions of Indian classical music.

Indian classical music has deep roots in spirituality—ragas were historically associated with specific times of day, seasons, and emotional states believed to align performer and listener with natural and cosmic rhythms. This extended programme draws on that heritage, featuring compositions whose lyrics address the divine alongside purely melodic explorations. The evening format allows for deeper raga development than lunchtime concerts permit, giving audiences the opportunity to experience how a raga unfolds over time—from its first tentative phrases through to its full elaboration.