Sounds of India: Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla

Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla Born and raised in Britain, he is unusual in performing both santoor and khayal vocals within a single concert.In 2008, he became the youngest artist to headline at Darbar Festival. He is joined by Jasdeep Singh on jori—a pair of drums from the Punjabi tradition.

This concert showcases how a raga can be expressed through different mediums. Kaviraj may begin on santoor, establishing the raga’s mood and characteristic phrases, then shift to voice for a bandish (composition) that reveals the same raga through lyrics and vocal ornamentation. The jori provides a distinctive rhythmic foundation—its sound is deeper and more resonant than tabla, rooted in the devotional music traditions of Punjab. Audiences will hear how melody and rhythm constantly interact, building towards climactic exchanges between soloist and percussionist.