What others say about us:
"Leicester ….does have what is surely Britain’s best festival of South Asian music – the Darbar Festival. My favourite concerts last year (2006) were of Sikh spiritual music by the spectacular Bhai Baldeep Singh and the marvellous rudra veena recital by Bahuddin Dagar in the amazing medieval Guildhall."
Songlines World Music magazine, Editorial May 2007
"The June 2007 edition of Songlines featured lengthy article on Rimpa Shiv’s dynamic solo tabla performance at Darbar Festival which also “featured an array of outstanding performances , each and every one of which would have me run our out superlatives: dhrupad by Prem Kumar Mallick, sitar by Shahid Pavez, and the inimitable mohan veena by Vishwa Mohan Bhatt – not withstanding khayal diva Begum Parveen Sultana as well as some heart stopping Karnatic violin by Dr Jyotsna Srikanth."
Songlines article
"The scale, the vision and aspirations of the (Darbar) Festival are huge. We’re encouraged by the focus on quality, but also on participation and community involvement."
Laura Dyer, Executive Director of the Arts Council of England, East Midlands.
"In over 40 years of touring I have never experienced such an atmosphere."
Swapan Chaudhuri, Tabla Maestro
"Such a programme can only be considered as an example of hard work, respect, love for music and sincerity. Darbar is the right place for performing music."
Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty, Vocal Maestro
"I have not seen a music event like Darbar in the U.K or internationally in my 24 years of traveling world-wide as a tabla player."
Subhankar Banerjee, Tabla player
I am overwhelmed to see what Darbar is doing in promoting and propagating the great heritage of India. Darbar has cultivated a very good audience. All the artistes enjoy sitting in audience which is rare even in India. Kudos to the Darbar team.
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Grammy Award Winner
I have been very impressed and deeply touched by this wonderful festival. Every aspect of the festival from the purpose to the planning & execution was impeccable.
Ken Zuckerman, Sarod player
> How does one begin to explain an experience that will forever be in my memory! Darbar such a mammoth project and so beautifully organised. How wonderful to be part of such an event may it live forever….
Begum Parveen Sultana, Vocal Maestro
It was a great experience to perform at Darbar which is filled with musical intoxication. It is rare to see both North & South Indian artistes performing on the same stage. I cannot forget the hospitality extended by Darbar organizers. It is a very rare sight to see musicians attending other musician’s concerts.
Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth, UK-based Violin Player |
