Smaran (Remembrance): An Indian Classical Music Concert

​Surtal Arts have commissioned British Asian musician Kaviraj Singh* to compose and perform a special piece of classical music entitled ‘Smaran’, which means remembrance.  The piece is in honour of the NHS and all key workers who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and dedicated to all those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 and the fires and floods that have engulfed parts of the world brought on by climate change.

​This mesmerising music, which combines haunting melodies with upbeat rhythms, is perfect to remember the trauma of the past months and our collective hope for the future. 

​It is appropriate that this concert will be performed against the backdrop of Joseph Wright’s work whose spectacular paintings signify the Age of Enlightenment, at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

 As well as bringing together local communities, a key part of Derby Season of Light has been to ‘shine a light’ on talented diverse artists.  Therefore it is our immense pleasure to showcase two of UK’s celebrated South Asain musicians for the final part of the festival.

Who are the performers?

*Kaviraj Singh is one of Europe’s leading young Hindustani musicians, who combines santoor and vocal elements in a unique blend of ragas in this intimate concert. 

He will be accompanied by an award-winning tabla (percussion) musician Shahbaz Hussain, the son of a celebrated Indian classical music vocalist Ustad Mumtaz Hussain who has learned his craft from tabla gurus across India. 

The concert will be live streamed so people who are unable to attend in person will be able to watch online. Live streaming will be free for NHS workers and care homes in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.  If you are in these sectors and are interested in watching the concert via live stream, please contact Surtal Arts.