Chandra Chakraborty is one of Britain’s foremost Indian classical vocalists, specialising in khayal—the predominant vocal form of North Indian classical music. A Gold Medallist of All India Radio and former scholar of the Sangeet Research Academy, she has performed at the Southbank Centre, the House of Commons, and for Her Majesty the Queen. She is accompanied by esraj (a bowed string instrument) and tabla.
Khayal, meaning ‘imagination’, gives the singer freedom to improvise within a chosen raga. The performance typically begins with an unmetered alaap—a slow, wordless exploration of the raga’s notes and phrases—before introducing a bandish (composition) set to a tala. The singer then develops the raga through techniques including taan (rapid melodic passages) and bol (rhythmic play with the song’s lyrics). The esraj mirrors and responds to the voice, while the tabla maintains the rhythmic cycle and engages in dialogue with the singer.
Additional Info
Date: Friday 27 March
Time: 1pm
Running Time: 1 hour no interval
Tickets: £10
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Chandra Chakraborty khayal vocal
Kirpal Panesar esraj
Siddhartha Kargupta harmonium
Surdarshan Chana tabla -
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
St Martin-in-the-Fields
Sounds of India: Chandra Chakraborty
Friday 27 MarchChandra Chakraborty is one of Britain’s foremost Indian classical vocalists, specialising in khayal—the predominant vocal form of North Indian classical music.
| Fri 27 Mar | 1 pm | £10 | Book |