Rafi Resurrected

A unique collaboration of Bollywood and Orchestra, in celebration of Mohammad Rafi, the mesmerising voice that became the sound of Bollywood’s golden era in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The charismatic singer and voice of Indian cinema today, Sonu Niigaam, has teamed up with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, in a unique collaboration performing 18 of the greatest Rafi songs of all time.

A national tour with Indian singer Sonu Nigam will follow in July: at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham(15th July); Manchester’s Apollo Theatre (17th July) and the London Coliseum (20th July). Sony Entertainment Television Asia will broadcast all concerts.

Zakir Hussain’s Masters of Percussion

Date: until July 4, 2008, The Barbican Hall, London EC2Y 8DS

Zakir Hussain is one the world’s great tabla players. Here he’s joined by the finest musicians from India’s classical and folk traditions, performing both melodic (raga) and rhythmic (tala) developments, as well as musical excursions exploring the frontier between traditional and contemporary, folk and classical music. In Masters of Percussion, Hussain has assembled a brilliant group of musicians and percussionists, including the dazzling and athletic dancing drummers of Manipur.

Concert by Tabla Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri in London

Date: until July 5, 2008, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, London W14 9HE

Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri is a phenomenon in the arena of Indian Classical Music. Musicians honor him as one of the most highly respected Tabla players, worthy of highest regard all over the world. He is a recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award from the Government of India, and the American Academy of Artists Award, both of which are reserved only for those artists who have attained the highest level of artistry. He has received the Excellence in Performing Arts Award from the Global Indian Congress in San Francisco, and has been nominated to the esteemed International Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame. It was Swapan’s beloved parents, through their own passion for music, who initiated his formal musical training and inspired him in the field of Tabla, paving the path that would eventually lead him to virtuosity.

He would be performing Live in London in a concert titled GULDASTAA – A BOUQUET OF MUSIC, presented by Sristi and supported by AMC