The finale repertoire of Darbar Festival 2017 comes to Sadler’s Wells for the first time from 9-12th November after immensely successful programmes at Barbican, Royal Albert Hall, and Southbank Centre. The Darbar Festival was started in 2006 by Sandeep Virdee – the Founder of Darbar Arts Culture Heritage Trust – in memory of his father, Gurmit Singh. The Trust presents concerts across the UK bringing Indian music to a wider audience. Darbar’s mission is to bring to the UK the most seasoned and rising talents in Indian music and performance arts. Sadler’s Wells is a world-leading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. Every year, audiences of over half a million come together at Sadler’s Wells’ London theatres to enjoy its touring productions at partner venues across the UK and around the world, or accessing its content through digital channels.
Curating the best of current classical Indian music, this year Darbar engages its sister art form by showcasing both classical dance and music. The collaboration of these two art forms will offer a rare chance to experience live the vibrancy and emotional power of these medium combined, firmly rooted in tradition yet in constant reinvention. The visionary Akram Khan MBE has put together the dance element and is expected to make a rare appearance onstage before his
imminent retirement from full-length pieces.
Darbar Festival this year unites both revered musical masters and new talents of the Subcontinent, for which the festival has been synonymous since its inception. Co-curated by Sandeep Virdee OBE and master dancer, choreographer and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Akram Khan MBE, the fest will offer an immersive experience for audiences of the finest Indian classical music and dance.
Over a period of four days the festival will witness performances from one of the finest classical vocalists, musicians and dancers. The programme will open with a UK Premiere, Akram Khan, Tala and Raga Experience, a triple bill concert taking place at Sadler’s Wells on Thursday 9 November. The show line-up includes Ragas, Sarod and Fiery Dance, Secret of Midnight Ragas, Escape Through Morning Ragas, Afternoon Raga Effect, Indian Adventures of Sitar and Dance, Benares Rhythm Essentials, Spirit of Morning Ragas, Rhythm Unleashed, Nishat Khan and the Soul of Khayal, Something Then, Something Now, Dance Masterclasses with Aditi Mangaldas and Mavin Khoo.
More information about the festival can be accessed through their website www.darbar.org.
