Morning Ragas with Ustad Kamal Sabri (Sarangi ) at Dresher Ensemble Studio – Oakland, CA

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, Kamal Sabri 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

Shri Amod Dandawate is a distinguished tabla artist specializing in the Farrukhabad gharana. His musical journey began under the guidance of his father, the late Dr. Vasantrao Dandawate, and was further enriched through training with several eminent gurus. For more than a decade, he has studied under Pandit Samir Chatterjee in the traditional guru-shishya parampara, refining his artistry and deepening his understanding of Hindustani classical music. A highly sought-after accompanist, Shri Dandawate has performed with numerous acclaimed artists from India and the United States. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he is also a dedicated educator committed to promoting Indian classical music. Alongside his musical career, he holds a doctorate in Electrical Engineering.

Program

Raga Shuddh Sarang is a serene and uplifting afternoon raga belonging to the Sarang family. Traditionally performed during the second half of the day, it evokes feelings of peace, joy, devotion, and the refreshing atmosphere of nature after the summer heat.The raga is characterized by its graceful movement, elegant phrases, and luminous melodic contours. Rather than relying on dramatic contrasts, Shuddh Sarang unfolds with quiet dignity and meditative beauty, allowing the performer to explore subtle shades of expression through expansive improvisation.Its soothing character makes it one of the most beloved ragas of the afternoon repertoire, inviting listeners into a world of calm reflection and inner tranquility.

Raga Gaud Sarang is another celebrated afternoon raga that combines elements of the ancient Gaud tradition with the melodic beauty of the Sarang family. Distinguished by its bright, majestic, and graceful character, the raga balances serenity with vibrant energy.Gaud Sarang features elegant ascending and descending movements, rich melodic phrases, and expressive improvisation that showcase both technical virtuosity and emotional depth. The interplay of repose and brilliance gives the raga a distinctive personality, making it a favorite among instrumentalists and vocalists alike.When performed on the Sarangi, the raga’s flowing melodic lines and vocal quality create an especially captivating musical experience.

Raga Brindabani Sarang is one of the most enchanting ragas of the Hindustani classical tradition, traditionally performed during the early afternoon. Associated with Vrindavan (Brindaban), the sacred land of Lord Krishna, the raga evokes feelings of devotion, serenity, joy, and divine love.Graceful and lyrical in character, Brindabani Sarang is distinguished by its bright melodic phrases, flowing movements, and gentle, uplifting mood. The raga creates an atmosphere of peace and spiritual contemplation while retaining an unmistakable sweetness that has captivated musicians and audiences for centuries.The expressive voice-like quality of the Sarangi brings exceptional beauty to this raga, allowing the artist to explore its subtle ornamentation, delicate meends (glides), and emotional nuances with remarkable depth. Through improvisation and melodic development, Brindabani Sarang unfolds as a radiant musical journey, reflecting the timeless spirit of India’s classical tradition and the pastoral beauty associated with Lord Krishna’s divine abode.

The concert concludes with a Thumri in Raga Bhairavi, one of the most cherished forms ofsemi-classical Hindustani music.Unlike the structured architecture of a khayal performance, the Thumri emphasizes lyrical beauty, emotional expression, and poetic interpretation. Bhairavi, with its rich palette of notes and immense expressive range, is traditionally performed at the conclusion of a concert as a gesture of completeness and emotional fulfillment.A Bhairavi Thumri allows the artist to weave together delicate ornamentation, expressive improvisation, and heartfelt emotion, bringing the recital to a graceful and deeply moving conclusion. On the Sarangi—an instrument often described as singing without words—the Thumri becomes an intimate conversation between melody and emotion, leaving audiences with a lasting sense of warmth, devotion, and serenity.“Music transcends language, culture, and borders. Through the timeless voice of the Sarangi, every performance becomes a celebration of India’s rich musical heritage and the universal language of the human spirit.”