Morning Ragas with Ustad Kamal Sabri (Sarangi )

This concert offers the rare opportunity to hear morning ragas at the appropriate time of day and in an intimate setting that replicates the long tradition of baithak (sitting) where ragas were traditionally performed in private at the home of a patron or in the royal court to an audience passionate about the music. In recent years, particularly since the rise in global popularity of Indian music in the 1970s, many performers have shifted the focus of the music from a leisurely exposition of melodic aesthetics to more rhythm-heavy performances aimed at general audiences. With this recital, Indradeep will highlight the more traditional melodic, improvisational, and meditative aesthetics that are at the spiritual core of the music.

The program offers both a full raga performance (beginning with an extended alap or non-rhythmic exposition) and concludes with several shorter semi-classical forms that typically draw on traditional folk melodies from diverse rural Indian traditions. We hope to introduce this centuries-old tradition to new listeners and to delight those already familiar with it. Of course, chai will be served along with Indian snacks and sweets.

Biography

Ustad Kamal Sabri is an internationally acclaimed Sarangi maestro, representing the seventh generation of the illustrious Moradabad Gharana. Son of the legendary Ustad Sabri Khan, Kamal Sabri began his musical journey at the age of five under his father’s guidance and quickly emerged as a child prodigy. Over the years, he has both preserved and reinvented the art of Sarangi playing, introducing innovations such as adding a cello string, while maintaining the rich legacy of his gharana. Kamal has worked with a diverse array of musicians, including Ustad Zakir Hussain, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Chick Corea, and Massive Attack, and has performed at prestigious festivals worldwide. His versatility extends to composing for Bollywood and Hollywood films, creating scores for documentaries, theatre, and dance, and teaching Indian classical music in countries such as England, Finland, Denmark, Norway, the USA, and Russia.

A distinguished artist of All India Radio, Ustad Kamal Sabri has received numerous accolades, including the Global Music Award (USA), Nashville Music City Award (International Artist of the Year), Young Maestro Award, and the Sarangi Sultan Khitab at the Harballabh Music Festival. He has been a guest lecturer at major universities and has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Sarangi as a solo instrument on the world stage. Through his artistry, mentorship, and dedication, he has inspired a new generation of musicians, ensuring that the Sarangi’s soulful voice continues to resonate in global music. Kamal Sabri’s commitment to both tradition and innovation has established him as a leading figure in Indian and world music today.He has been a guest lecturer at major universities and played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Sarangi as a solo instrument on the world stage. Through his artistry, mentorship, and dedication, Sabri has inspired a new generation of musicians, ensuring that the Sarangi’s soulful voice continues to resonate globally. His commitment to both tradition and innovation has established him as a leading figure in Indian and world music today.

Full Biography

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