Music

Sitarist and composer Jasdeep Singh Degun and conductor Harish Shankar take a break from rehearsals to talk about Arya, Jasdeep’s new sitar concerto for the Orchestra of Opera North. Sun 23 February Huddersfield Town Hall (world premiere) Thu 5 March Durham Cathedral Wed 11 March RNCM, Manchester Thu 19 March CBSO Centre, Birmingham Details and booking: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/news/arya-world-premiere-and-tour/ Commissioned by Opera North. Arranged for orchestra by Daniel Saleeb.

#darbarfestival | Dheerendra Tiwari demonstrates the power of kathak dance - a style based on spins, hand gestures, and periods of calm punctuated by bursts of densely mathematical footwork. ► Join our newsletter at http://www.darbar.org/newsletter for the finest in Indian classical music and dance, and watch full length exclusive concerts in pristine HD on the Darbar Player: http://www.darbar.org/darbarplayer --------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about the music: Kathak is one of India’s most prominent classical dance styles. It features fluid spins, intricate hand gestures, and periods of calm punctuated by bursts of densely mathematical footwork. The tradition derives from the travelling bards of North India (‘kathakar’ means ‘one who tells a story’), and their physical storytelling techniques are still visible today - exponents are masters of mime, transforming into peacocks, demons, and many-faced gods at a moment’s notice. Choreography combines the playful and cerebral, contrasting these mime-like expressional movements (abhinaya) with those embodying ‘pure form’ (nritta). A dancer may impersonate a flock of birds, then use rapid-fire footwork to tease new tensions from a 14-beat rhythm. Despite the extreme discipline required to master it, performances can be refreshing and even child-like, as if witnessing a return to our most basic human impulses. Kathak is a deeply expressive tradition. Devotees describe how middle-aged male dancers can suddenly morph into beautiful young women using only the subtlest of movements (all while synchronising their footsteps and leaps to intricate tabla rhythms). Indian forms bring high demands, and training often starts early. According to Akram, “Classical dancers have to sacrifice themselves in a way – the physicality and precision are immense. There’s a certain discipline and rigour you can’t teach.” Recorded at Darbar Festival 2017, at London’s Sadler’s Wells: -Dheerendra Tiwari (kathak dance) -Samiullah Khan (vocals) -Jasdeep Degun (sitar) -Mohit Gangani (tabla) -Ashish Gangani (pakhawaj) Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical arts to stir, thrill and inspire. Through shared experiences and digital connectivity we ensure that one of the world’s finest art forms reaches the widest possible audience. Founded in 2006, we deliver premium quality live events, music education, broadcasts and online engagement through promoting artistic innovation and creative technology. We are also committed to providing a platform for new talent from India and the UK. All Rights Reserved ©2019 Darbar Arts Culture Heritage Trust

Melvyn Bragg presents five short films following the progress of each of the 2016 Sky Academy Arts Scholarship winners. He talks to them about their artistic discipline, their project and working practices. We see how the Scholarship has helped the artists move forward in their work and visit the artists at their studios, in rehearsals and follow them as they work towards their final piece. Each winner was awarded £30,000 and mentoring to develop their work and take their career to the next level. They are guided by mentors put in place by Sky Academy. A closer look at Jasdeep Singh Degun, a classically trained sitarist from Leeds who aims to create his debut album bringing together Indian classical and British influences. website: www.jasdeepsinghdegun.com twitter: www.twitter.com/jasdeepdegun instagram: www.instagram.com/jasdeeepdegun

Our next track, Delhi Darbar, is out! We go back to our Indian classical roots with this one - hope you enjoy it and please share if you do. Thank you! www.project12music.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/project12music Twitter: @Project12_Music Instragram: @project_12 Music by Project 12 Mixed by Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla Video by Recon Visuals

Vidya Patel and Jaina Modasia Kathak Duet on BBC Young Dancer 2015 Live musicians: Shammi Pithia - Bansuri, Cajon, Piano Jasdeep Singh Degun - Sitar Suroj Sureshbabu - Guitar

Performance excerpts at The Nehru Centre, London 11 April, 2018 , 6:30 pm

12lve (Goldie's Band) perform at Buckingham Palace in the presence of Prince Harry. Beat Jam - Jasdeep Singh Degun

Inaugural Concert of the SAMF - London Baithak Series Jasdeep Degun - Sitar Gurchetan Singh - Tabla Rāg: Bihag Tāl: Teental Jasdeep Degun combines a versatile approach to his music with a passion and dedication to the classical tradition. Having studied sitar under the guidance of Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE he has continued to develop his skills in classical performance and composition. He has been involved in many high profile cross-genre collaborations over the years including the BBC2 documentary Goldie’s Band: By Royal Appointment, the United Nations opening of the Amphitheatre in Doha lead by the composer Vangelis, and the ‘Just A Vibration’ album alongside the Hammonds Brass Band and producer Shri Sriram. He also played an integral role in composing and arranging music for the cutting-edge band Project 12 and has had the opportunity to present his own original compositions based on contemporary and Indian classical music at the 2015 BBC Proms. He was recently commissioned to write and perform a concerto scored for Sitar and String Quartet, titled 'The Bridge', which premiered at the Leeds International Concert Season in 2016. More recently, Jasdeep was awarded the Sky Academy Arts Scholarship, worth £30,000, to work on his debut album of contemporary and classical music, and was also named Sangeet Ratna, Musician of the Year, at the National Indian Arts Awards ceremony in 2016. Gurchetan is a young and upcoming Tabla player in the UK who started learning Tabla at the young age of 9 at his local Sikh Gurdwara. Since then, he has been privileged to be under the guidance of Ustad Tarsem Singh, a senior disciple of Ustad Allarakha Khan of the Punjab Gharana. Through his tutelage and performances, Gurchetan has been able to develop a keen understanding of the technicalities of Tabla playing. He has also had the privilege to have performed at prestigious venues such as, the Royal Albert Hall and the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London. Venue: SOAS University Date: 26th May 2018 All Rights Reserved ©2018 South Asian Music Forum

Listen to the talented sitar player Jasdeep Degun as he creates beautiful, unique and original sounds for BBC Asian Network Originally broadcasted: 16 November 2012