Fellow Reading music lovers, we’re excited to bring this spellbinding slice of Kala Festival 2025 to The Great Hall, Reading University. A grand setting for an evening where ancient Indian ragas meet contemporary creativity right in the heart of our town.
As part of this year’s nationwide celebration, the concert opens with an inspired duet where visiting artist Pandit Debasis Chakroborty conjures soaring melodies on Indian slide guitar, weaving them around the imaginative raga-infused piano of Raaga Pianist Deepak Shah. Their interplay is anchored by our local UK-based Tabla master, Hanif Khan, creating a radiant bridge between East and West.
After the interval, prepare for rhythmic fireworks. Ustad Akram Khan, seventh-generation master of the Ajrara gharana, unleashes a tabla solo that shifts seamlessly from whisper-soft textures to thunderous cascades. Supporting the dynamic finale, rising sarangi virtuoso Vinayak Sahai adds plaintive bow strokes that echo the human voice and deepen every rhythmic phrase.
Doors open at 5:00 pm; music begins at 5:30 pm. Between sets, there’ll be time to mingle with fellow enthusiasts between sets. Bring friends, open ears and curious hearts. Let’s make another unforgettable memory for Reading’s vibrant cultural scene.
See you there, Reading!
