“My gurus...were all liberal thinkers and avid collectors of knowledge. They believed in learning from as many sources as possible and I think it is their eclecticism that influenced me as well as their other students.” (Shubha Mudgal)
Shubha Mudgal sings a distinct brand of of khayal. Born in Allahabad to two Professors of English Literature, her versatile style is the result of study with a wide range of gurus - notably Ramashreya Jha ‘Ramrang’, Vinaya Chandra Maudgalya, Vasant Thakar, Jitendra Abhisheki, Kumar Gandharva, and Naina Devi. Her markedly individual style fuses ideas from across North India, with long sustained notes balancing acrobatic melodising. She is known for her detailed lyrical study too, regularly singing poems by Sufi saints and medieval mystics, and has made brief but successful forays into pop music.
Renowned for a strong social conscience, Shubha is one of the most prominent advocates for improving the treatment of women in Indian classical music. She has supported various radical movements who push for a more equitable distribution of power and resources in Indian society. She has also served on various national education committees, and runs Underscore Records with her tabla-playing husband Aneesh Pradhan, aiming to give Indian artists control of their own catalogue.
"Many times I nearly gave up" says one of India's finest Carnatic musicians. Award winner Sairam gives an insight into her musical world. She talks about her own fears, inhibitions and surrender in preparation for a concert. Filmed during her Darbar Festival appearance in 2016.
India's foremost sarod maestro candidly talks about his passion and the unique lineage he was born into. Khan explains that there is no book about presentation of Indian classical music and how a 3 minute Raga was about quality and duration of music. Recorded at Darbar Festival in 2016.
The award-winning brothers share some heart-warming facts about their lives in this interview from the Darbar Festival 2016. As siblings their bonding has stood the test of time on stage and beyond it. “It is love that has kept us together,” they say.
Pandits Rajan and Sajan Mishra were born in ...
