A feast of Indian classical music maestros are to visit the UAE this year with the welcome return of a long-running concert series.
Wadali Brothers, Jasraj, Ajoy Chakrabarty and Shubha Mudgal will all perform at Dubai’s Ductac throughout 2017, as part of the new Emirates NBD Classics season.
After steadily diversifying into increasingly global sounds over previous editions, the programme’s sixth season will focus exclusively on Indian vocal traditions, welcoming an enviable role-call of soaring singers from both the Hindustani classical and sufi schools.
The series will kick off on February 10 with a return visit from virtuosic veteran vocalist Jasraj, whose famed vocal prowess – said to reach more than four octaves – remain undiminished at the grand age of 86-years-old.
Things continue on March 3 with another legendary voice of Hindustani classical music, Shubha Mudgal, whose many decorations include the Padma Shri from the Government of India, and the Gold Plaque Award for Special Achievement in Music at the 34th Chicago International Film Festival.
Even more decorated is Ajoy Chakrabarty, one of the most recognized – and busiest – vocalists of his generation. With a back catalogue of more than 100 releases, Chakrabarty spends much of his life onstage in both India and abroad, with previous high profile appearances including New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall. However the 64-year-old will humbly take to stage at Ductac on May 12 for a second time, following a duet concert alongside Kaushiki as part of the 2015 series.
After a break for summer, the Classics reaches its closing commercial peak with an appearance from the Wadali Brothers on October 20. The Punjab-born siblings are the fifth generation in a family line of devotional singers, and are today renowned for keeping Sufi and folk traditions alive. The pair also crossed into Bollywood with Gulzar collaboration Pinjar in 2003.
All performances start at 8pm. Ticket details are yet to be confirmed.