Performing Indian Classical amongst the Greats

Singing Hindustani music where Ed Sheeran and Bob Dylan sang

Dear Reader,

I hope May has brought you sunlight and flowers and ease.

A few months ago, a friend from university, whom I probably haven’t spoken to in 5 years reached out to me on Whatsapp. I hadn’t heard from this person in ages so I was curious about what the message said. I opened it and the message was to congratulate me and tell me how cool it was that I was performing at The Troubadour.

Let me rewind a bit. Last year, I had performed at a venue in South London where I met a wonderful band called Fox Called Friday. We had chatted on the day and then stayed in touch through Instagram. In the beginning of this year, they reached out to a member of my band, asking if we’d like to be the opening act for their album launch. The launch was at Troubadour London.

Even though I’m 3 years in, I’d still say I’m fairly new to London. I had no idea that the Troubadour is a long-standing, influential music venue and a cultural hub. Artists like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Adele and Ed Sheeran have played at the venue.

The Gig

Knowing me and my niche, there wasn’t a chance I was doing anything purely pop there. Even though I release pop music, if you’ve heard it, you know it has more Indian classical than the average pop listener knows what to do with (!). Also, Fox Called Friday reached out to us to perform classical music in our genre, so I knew I had to bring the raga ambience on the day.

I reached the venue, and the walls next to the stage had the names and faces of all influential performers who had ever graced the stage, think Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. I was due to be on that same stage in an hour, but, not for the genre that the guys on the wall were famous for, but for Indian classical music. I don’t think Hindustani classical has ever been performed at the Troubadour throughout its history, and, there I was, with my tanpura and bright red dupatta, ready to change that. How magical. How very fated.

I performed raga Bhairav, raga Yaman, and a semi classical ghazal. Even though Fox Called Friday’s audience are not at all familiar with Indian classical, the response was exceptional. I even got a huge compliment from the guy doing sounds! And we know he’s seen A LOT of acts.

Whenever I get a compliment like this, or a room full of people taking in the healing sounds of the music my band and I are making, I never take it personally. This isn’t modesty as much as it is pure honesty. My brain and heart just don’t let me. I am so acutely aware in those moments of just being a medium through with art is poured out for the benefit of others. My body has visceral awareness of this. It sings it into existence! So much gratitude pours out of me when people come and speak with me about how they felt. It’s never ever about me. It’s always them and the music. It is the most humbling and healing experience for me.

Feeling Deeply

Alchemy is slowly becoming commonplace in my life. Transmuting the days into sounds and conveying these to audiences ever so often, letting them be moved by it, is beautiful. In these moments, I feel love reverberating and, for them, I am so so thankful.

I have been performing with Dar Disku for a few months now - bringing Indian classical to newer audiences. The next gig is in Bristol on 16th May, should you want an evening of beautiful music.

4/101 Days of Prayer

Continuing my series, this is the 4th of a 101 prayer. Feel free to save this, come back to it and use it however you please. It is a prayer for you, and a prayer for me.