Raag Darbar 2026
2nd Year Celebrating Sikh Classical Music through soulful performances, tradition, and devotion. Experience the beauty of raag-based music at the Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary.

  • ROOPA PANESAR

Roopa Panesar remains firmly rooted in the Hindustani classical tradition while bringing a distinctive and expressive style to sitar performance. Born in Leicester, UK, she is widely regarded as one of the finest sitar players to emerge from the British Indian classical music scene.

She is a disciple of the renowned educationist and leading UK musician Ustad Dharambir Singh Ji MBE, himself a disciple of the late Ustad Vilayat Khan. Roopa began her training at the age of seven under her Guru and continues that journey to this day. She has also received guidance from Pandit Arvind Parikh Ji, the senior-most disciple of the late Ustad Vilayat Khan. Her musical vision has been further enriched through the inspiration and guidance of distinguished visiting musicians including Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pandit Buddhaditya Mukherjee, and Ustad Bahauddin Dagar.

 

 

Rohan Bhogal was born and raised in the city of Edmonton, Canada. At an early age, Rohan
showed a keen interest in tabla. Much of his childhood was spent listening to Indian
classical music, both at home, and in concert halls. By listening alone, Rohan was able to
grasp complicated rhythmic patterns without any formal musical training. Noticing his
inclination towards tabla, Rohan’s father brought him to the world renowned tabla maestro
Ustad Zakir Hussain, who began his formal tabla training at the age of eight. Under his
guidance, Rohan has developed a knowledge of traditional tabla repertoire and a
discerning ear for both the melodic and rhythmic aspects of tabla. In addition to music,
Rohan has completed a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and has a Degree in Dental
Surgery from the University of Alberta.

Basant Singh began his musical journey at a young age of 10 under the able guidance of his father, S. Balwant Singh Ji, who laid the foundation of his musical understanding and discipline. Growing up in a musically enriched environment, he developed a deep inclination towards classical and devotional music from early childhood.
He further refined his skills by receiving formal training from Mrs. Avtar Kaur Ji for a couple of years, where he strengthened his fundamentals and vocal technique. His passion for traditional Sikh devotional music led him to learn the Puratan Reet of Kirtan under the guidance of Ustad Harbhajan Singh Ji, gaining valuable insight into the rich heritage and authentic style of Gurmat Sangeet.
In 2019, Basant Singh had the honor of becoming a disciple (Shagird) of the renowned maestro, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty Ji. This marked a significant milestone in his musical journey, allowing him to deepen his understanding of Hindustani classical music under one of the most respected gurus in the field.
Since 2022, he has been a scholar at the prestigious ITC Sangeet Research Academy (SRA), where he continues his rigorous training. Under the esteemed tutelage of Guru Ji, Sri Brajeswar Mukherjee Ji, along with the continued guidance of his father, he is further honing his artistry, expanding his repertoire, and developing a distinctive musical identity.
With a strong foundation in both classical and devotional traditions, Basant Singh continues to dedicate himself to the pursuit of excellence in music while preserving and promoting the rich legacy of Indian classical and Sikh devotional music.
 

First Raag Darbar presented by Sarb Akal

Dr. Ramandeep Kaur

Raag Darbar 2025 The two-day musical celebration, Raag Darbar 2025, was held on June 13–14, 2025, uniting classical renditions, instrumental brilliance, and soulful performances in a mesmerizing tribute to Indian classical arts.       Day 1 – June 13, 2025 The festival opened with a devotional Shabad performance by Simranjeet Singh (Vocal), accompanied by Kulwant Singh on Dilruba, Manveer Singh on Rabab, and Sunny Matharu on Tabla, creating a serene and spiritual beginning.The second presentation featured Maiher Singh Virk (Jori Vadan) with Kulwant Singh (Dilruba), delivering a profound rhythmic dialogue.

The day concluded with an evocative Sarangi recital by Satwinder Pal Singh, supported by Harkiret Singh Bahra on Tabla, leaving the audience deeply moved by the emotional depth of Raag Darbar.

Day 2 – June 14, 2025The second day celebrated instrumental excellence. The morning began with a Tabla Solo by Sehajpreet Singh, blending precision with creativity, accompanied by Sukhamrit Singh on Violin, whose melodic support enriched the performance.
This was followed by a graceful Violin recital by Rattan Singh Sidhu, accompanied by Maiher Singh Virk on Tabla, highlighting the delicate interplay of melody and rhythm.
The festival reached its crescendo with the grand finale by internationally acclaimed Jasdeep Singh Degun (Sitar), accompanied by Sunny Matharu on Tabla, a performance that enthralled the audience with its technical brilliance and artistic depth.Art ExhibitionComplementing the musical journey, an Art Exhibition at Outsige Gallery showcased the creative works of Janamjeet Singh and Dr. Rajan Kaur. The vibrant artworks enriched the ambiance, weaving together music and visual expression into a holistic cultural experience. Raag Darbar 2025 was not only a confluence of music and art but also a profound celebration of cultural heritage, leaving an unforgettable impression on all who attended.

Raag Darbar 2025 – A Two-Day Celebration of Indian Classical Arts

Dates: June 13–14, 2025
Venue: [Rozsa Centre U of C]

The two-day musical celebration, Raag Darbar 2025, brought together an enchanting blend of classical renditions, instrumental brilliance, and soulful performances in a mesmerizing tribute to Indian classical traditions. The festival was not only a journey through music but also a vibrant celebration of cultural heritage, enhanced by an art exhibition that blended visual and sonic artistry.

Day 1 – June 13, 2025

The festival opened on a serene and devotional note with a Shabad performance by Simranjeet Singh (Vocal), accompanied by Kulwant Singh (Dilruba), Manveer Singh (Rabab), and Sunny Matharu (Tabla). This spiritually charged beginning set the tone for the festival.

The second presentation featured a Jori Vadan by Maiher Singh Virk, accompanied by Kulwant Singh (Dilruba). Their profound rhythmic dialogue created a meditative atmosphere, showcasing the depth of Punjab’s rich rhythmic tradition.

The day concluded with an evocative Sarangi recital by Satwinder Pal Singh, supported by Harkiret Singh Bahra (Tabla). The performance captured the emotional gravitas of Raag Darbar, leaving the audience deeply moved.

Day 2 – June 14, 2025

The second day was dedicated to instrumental excellence.

✨ The morning began with a Tabla Solo by Sehajpreet Singh, whose rhythmic precision and creativity were beautifully complemented by Sukhamrit Singh (Violin).

✨ This was followed by a graceful Violin recital by Rattan Singh Sidhu, accompanied by Maiher Singh Virk (Tabla), highlighting the seamless interplay of melody and rhythm.

✨ The festival reached its crescendo with the grand finale by internationally acclaimed Jasdeep Singh Degun (Sitar), accompanied by Sunny Matharu (Tabla). Their performance enthralled the audience with its technical brilliance and artistic depth, marking a perfect conclusion to Raag Darbar 2025.

Art Exhibition

Running alongside the musical presentations, an Art Exhibition at Outsige Gallery featured the works of Janamjeet Singh and Dr. Rajan Kaur. The vibrant artworks enriched the festival’s ambiance, weaving music and visual expression into a unified cultural experience.

🌟 Closing Note

Raag Darbar 2025 was more than a festival—it was a confluence of sound, rhythm, and color. By blending music and visual arts, it offered a holistic experience that celebrated the timeless beauty of Indian classical traditions. The two days left an unforgettable impression on everyone who attended.

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