--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-au/faq/at-the-concert/i-have-never-been-to-an-indian-classical-concert-will-i-follow-it' title: 'I have never been to an Indian classical concert. Will I follow it?' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-au/user/4add8741a490747f' date: '2026-09-04T15:20:30+00:00' updated: '2026-10-19T21:52:01+00:00' type: website summary: 'Yes. You need no background in raga or taal. A raga opens with the alap, a slow section with no pulse, and the tabla enters later.' tags: - 'At the concert' image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:type': image/svg+xml 'image:alt': KalaSudha --- FAQ · At the concert # I have never been to an Indian classical concert. Will I follow it? Updated 19 October 2026 Yes. You do not need to recognise a raga or count a taal to follow a **Hindustani** (North Indian) classical concert. A raga performance opens with the **alap**, a slow section with no pulse. In instrumental music the **jor** then brings in a steady pulse, and when the [tabla](/en-au/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-tabla) enters with the composition, the rhythm takes hold. Come at the door time so you hear the opening alap. New to the format? Read [what a baithak is](/en-au/faq/at-the-concert/what-is-a-baithak) and [when to arrive](/en-au/faq/at-the-concert/when-should-i-arrive). Going to a dance evening? Read [what Kathak is](/en-au/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-kathak). Was this answer helpful? [ ](/en-au/user/login?flag_anon=faq_helpful-422&destination=/en-au/faq/at-the-concert/i-have-never-been-to-an-indian-classical-concert-will-i-follow-it) [ ](/en-au/user/login?flag_anon=faq_not_helpful-422&destination=/en-au/faq/at-the-concert/i-have-never-been-to-an-indian-classical-concert-will-i-follow-it) Thanks for your feedback! ## Related pages 12 pages mention this question ### Artists (11) - [ Aditya Dip Aditya Dip, pakhawaj player from Varanasi trained by Pandit Shrikant Mishra. Dhrupad accompanist and soloist. Teaches with the KalaSudha academy; official UK… ](/en-au/artist/aditya-dip) - [ Alokparna Guha Kathak dancer and teacher based in Kolkata, trained under Dr Malabika Mitra across the Jaipur and Lucknow styles. Founder of PUSHPAK Academy of Dance, teaching… ](/en-au/artist/alokparna-guha) - [ Shanish Kumar Dr Shanish Kumar Gyawali plays bansuri in the Banaras tradition, trained by Vinod Prasanna and Dr Prahalad Nath, PhD from BHU, AIR ‘B High’ grade, Young Artist… ](/en-au/artist/shanish-kumar) - [ Premkumar Mallick Pandit Premkumar Mallick is a leading Dhrupad vocalist of the Darbhanga Gharana, known for his profound alap, powerful voice, and deep lineage, carrying… ](/en-au/artist/premkumar-mallick) - [ Sandipan Mukherjee Sandipan Mukherjee plays tabla in the Hindustani tradition, trained by Pandit Kumar Bose and Pandit Arvind Kumar Azad, performing across India with KalaSudha. ](/en-au/artist/sandipan-mukherjee) - [ Debaditya Chakraborty Sitarist of the Senia-Maihar tradition, Debaditya Chakraborty blends gayaki and tantrakari with depth and clarity. He performed at KalaSudha’s Purvi Festival… ](/en-au/artist/debaditya-chakraborty) - [ Tejaswini Digamber Vernekar Tejaswini Vernekar is a distinguished Indian classical singer, BHU gold medalist & All India Radio graded artist. She has performed widely and trained under… ](/en-au/artist/tejaswini-digamber-vernekar) - [ Giuliano Modarelli Giuliano Modarelli is an internationally acclaimed Italian guitarist and composer, celebrated for his distinctive blend of Indian classical, jazz, and… ](/en-au/artist/giuliano-modarelli) - [ Ajay Prasanna Pandit Ajay Prasanna is a widely acclaimed international flautist from a distinguished musical family. He carries the legacy of his father, Pandit Bholanath… ](/en-au/artist/ajay-prasanna) - [ Durjay Bhaumik Durjay Bhaumik is a tabla player from Kolkata, based in Delhi, and a Top grade artist of All India Radio. A disciple of Suresh Talwalkar, he performs as a… ](/en-au/artist/durjay-bhaumik) - [ Deepak Shah Deepak Shah is an Indian pianist and composer who plays Indian classical ragas on the grand piano. His music blends Indian and Western styles in a smooth,… ](/en-au/artist/deepak-shah) Show all 11 artists ### Landing Page (1) - [ Indian classical music glossary KalaSudha's Indian classical music glossary gives plain definitions for newcomers, such as what a raga is and how Hindustani and Carnatic music differ. ](/en-au/indian-classical-music-glossary) [ Previous question How long is a KalaSudha concert? ](/en-au/faq/at-the-concert/how-long-is-a-kalasudha-concert) [ Next question Is seating allocated? ](/en-au/faq/at-the-concert/is-seating-allocated)