--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/event/reading-raga-resonance-bow-beat-and-breath' title: 'Reading Raga Resonance: Bow, Beat, and Breath, Sat 12 Sep 2026' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/0f961cccc99524ed' date: '2026-06-01T13:00:18+00:00' updated: '2026-10-18T23:32:11+00:00' type: events.event summary: 'Experience a magical musical conversation exploring the vocal nature of the Sarangi and the driving energy of the Tabla in alternating solos at the Great Hall,…' tags: - Concert - Reading - In-Person image: 'https://cloudfront.kalasudha.com/kalasudha-web-prod/s3fs-public/styles/d12_standard/public/2026-06/Kala-festival-2026-Satwinder-Pal-Singh-Shahbaz-Hussain-header.jpg?h=d2483246&itok=DOxSfXia' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://cloudfront.kalasudha.com/kalasudha-web-prod/s3fs-public/styles/d12_standard/public/2026-06/Kala-festival-2026-Satwinder-Pal-Singh-Shahbaz-Hussain-header.jpg?h=d2483246&itok=DOxSfXia' 'image:secure_url': 'https://cloudfront.kalasudha.com/kalasudha-web-prod/s3fs-public/styles/d12_standard/public/2026-06/Kala-festival-2026-Satwinder-Pal-Singh-Shahbaz-Hussain-header.jpg?h=d2483246&itok=DOxSfXia' 'image:type': image/jpeg 'image:width': '1200' 'image:height': '675' 'image:alt': Kala-festival-2026-Satwinder-Pal-Singh-Shahbaz-Hussain street_address: 'London Road Campus' locality: Reading postal_code: RG15AQ country_name: 'United Kingdom' --- # Reading Raga Resonance: Bow, Beat, and Breath - \#Reading - \#In-Person SEP 12, 2026 Saturday 12:00 PM 2 hours, 30 minutes The Great Hall, Reading Reading, United Kingdom ### Get Your Tickets Early Bird This event has ended. 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Send Save Calendar [Google](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/render?action=TEMPLATE&dates=20260912T110000/20260912T133000&ctz=UTC&text=Reading+Raga+Resonance%3A+Bow%2C+Beat%2C+and+Breath&location=The+Great+Hall%2C+Reading%2C+The+Great+Hall%2C+University+of+Reading%2C+London+Road+Campus%2C+Reading%2C+RG15AQ) [Outlook](https://outlook.live.com/calendar/action/compose?path=/calendar/action/compose&rru=addevent&startdt=2026-09-12T11:00:00Z&enddt=2026-09-12T13:30:00Z&subject=Reading%20Raga%20Resonance%3A%20Bow%2C%20Beat%2C%20and%20Breath&location=The%20Great%20Hall%2C%20Reading%2C%20The%20Great%20Hall%2C%20University%20of%20Reading%2C%20London%20Road%20Campus%2C%20Reading%2C%20RG15AQ) [Office 365](https://outlook.office.com/calendar/deeplink/compose?path=/calendar/action/compose&rru=addevent&startdt=2026-09-12T11:00:00Z&enddt=2026-09-12T13:30:00Z&subject=Reading%20Raga%20Resonance%3A%20Bow%2C%20Beat%2C%20and%20Breath&location=The%20Great%20Hall%2C%20Reading%2C%20The%20Great%20Hall%2C%20University%20of%20Reading%2C%20London%20Road%20Campus%2C%20Reading%2C%20RG15AQ) [Yahoo](https://calendar.yahoo.com/?v=60&view=d&type=20&ST=20260912T110000Z&ET=20260912T133000Z&TITLE=Reading%20Raga%20Resonance%3A%20Bow%2C%20Beat%2C%20and%20Breath&in_loc=The%20Great%20Hall%2C%20Reading%2C%20The%20Great%20Hall%2C%20University%20of%20Reading%2C%20London%20Road%20Campus%2C%20Reading%2C%20RG15AQ) [Apple / iCal](/en-gb/event/322/calendar.ics) [ Share ](/en-gb/share/322) Event Tags - Reading - In-Person ## Event Summary Experience a magical musical conversation exploring the vocal nature of the Sarangi and the driving energy of the Tabla in alternating solos at the Great Hall, Reading. ## Performing Artists [ Satwinder Pal Singh ](/en-gb/artist/satwinder-pal-singh) [ Shahbaz Hussain ](/en-gb/artist/shahbaz-hussain) > " > > Learning to play tabla with different gharanas and styles made me a more musically awakened soul, gave an immense depth and enriched my tabla playing. > > — Shahbaz Hussain ## Event Highlights 1 Born into the sarangi, three generations deep 2 Trained by two of India's greatest sarangi masters 3 Europe's finest tabla player 4 Three gharanas in one musician 5 The bow and the beat trade places 6 A double bill day in Reading ## Performing Artists - [ ](https://www.facebook.com/Sardarsatwinderpalsingh) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/sardarsatwinderpalsingh) [ ](https://x.com/sardarsatwinder) ### Satwinder Pal Singh 6 Events [ View Profile ](/en-gb/artist/satwinder-pal-singh) - [ ](https://www.facebook.com/shahbazhussaintabla) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/shahbaztabla) ### Shahbaz Hussain 5 Events [ View Profile ](/en-gb/artist/shahbaz-hussain) ## Event Details Dear music lovers from Reading, we are proud to announce our return to **The Great Hall** at **Reading University** for a second time as part of the annual **Kala Festival**, to present "Reading Raga Resonance: Bow, Beat, and Breath". Join us on **12 September 2026** at **12:00 PM** for an intimate afternoon to witness the mesmerising musical dialogue of the soulful Sarangi and the dynamic rhythms of the Tabla, as they take turns leading the conversation. This special afternoon features two highly celebrated artists: **Satwinder Pal Singh** on the **Sarangi** and **Ustad Shahbaz Hussain** on the **Tabla**. Satwinder has been playing the sthe arangi since a very early age. and had his first public performance at 5. He was nurtured by his father, and later learnt from other great living masters such as Ustad Sabri Khan and Pandit Ram Narayan Ji. As for Shahbaz Hussain, who first studied under his father, the vocalist Ustad Mumtaz Hussain, he went on to learn from various gurus: the Delhi gharana’s Ustad Faiyaz Khan and the Punjab gharana’s Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan and Ustad Allah Rakha. He has developed an eclectic, versatile style, leading the fusion group Indus and accompanying touring classical artists. Shahbaz is active as a tabla teacher across the North of England. Together, they will present a unique, conversational performance that highlights the deep connection between the rhythm and melody of our ancient musical tradition. Instead of a standard setup, we plan to design it as a true musical exchange, where the bow and the beat hold equal weight and are equal parts. The performance will unfold in two distinct sessions. The first half will focus on the sweeping, vocal-like melodies of the Sarangi solo, elegantly supported by the Tabla. In the second half, the roles will reverse, and the Tabla takes centre stage for a powerful rhythmic solo, navigated and framed by the Sarangi. This back-and-forth structure promises a captivating display of classical skill, mutual respect, and spontaneous musical discovery. This evening is more than music; it is also an invitation to pause, reflect, and experience the healing resonance of sound (Shabd). For centuries, Indian classical traditions have regarded music as a form of meditation, a means of restoring balance within ourselves and within our communities. When we gather for intimate concerts with others and participate in musical experiences that carry ancient sound, we open a whole new world to ourselves. In today’s world, these timeless practices remind us of our profound connection between music, mental health, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. This evening offers renewal, a chance to feel uplifted, connected, and restored through the universal language of music. If you are in Reading or around, do join. For any special needs, contact us. *Doors open at 11:45 AM, with music starting at 12:00* Audience Policy: - Unauthorised filming or photography is not permitted. - The use of mobile phones (including texting) is not allowed during the event. We kindly ask for your cooperation. Thank you! Show More ## Venue information ### The Great Hall, Reading The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road Campus, Reading, RG15AQ [ Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.450541409903%2C-0.96187854905336) [ Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/directions?destination=51.450541409903%2C-0.96187854905336) Parking Parking at The Great Hall (University of Reading, London Road Campus) is available in the White Gates Car Park (Postcode: RG1 5AG). The campus offers some spaces on a strictly first-come, first-served basis, and finding a spot can be difficult during peak hours. Accessibility The Great Hall is **accessible**. However, wheelchair spaces must be booked in advance. Image not available [ Open larger map ](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=51.450541409903&mlon=-0.96187854905336#map=16/51.450541409903/-0.96187854905336) ## Frequently Asked Questions What is a tabla solo, and what should I listen for? A **tabla solo** puts the [tabla](/instrument/tabla) in the lead. The player builds compositions across a fixed cycle of beats, the **taal**, while a melody instrument, often a [sarangi](/instrument/sarangi) or harmonium, keeps time with a short repeating tune called the **lehra**. For the rest of an Indian classical concert the tabla keeps time behind the melody instrument. Each cycle runs the same length, and every new cycle starts on beat one. That beat is the **sam**. You do not need to count. Listen for the lehra to repeat, then listen for the tabla to land on the sam. New to the drum? See [What is a tabla?](/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-tabla) There are two Reading concerts on 12 September. What is the difference? Two separate concerts at The Great Hall, Reading, on 12 September, each with its own ticket. [Bow, Beat, and Breath](/event/reading-raga-resonance-bow-beat-and-breath) starts at 12pm: sarangi and tabla, the two players swapping lead and accompanist at the interval. [Slide & Strum on The Mystic Frets](/event/reading-raga-resonance-slide-strum-on-the-mystic-frets) starts at 6pm, with Indian slide guitar, Western guitar and tabla playing a classical raga half, then a fusion half after the interval. The afternoon concert ends around 2.30pm and evening doors open at 5.30pm, so you can attend both. The [Full Day ticket](/faq/tickets-booking/is-there-a-ticket-for-both-reading-concerts) covers the pair. Where do I park at The Great Hall, Reading? Park at the **White Gates Car Park** on the University of Reading's **London Road Campus**. Set your sat nav to **RG1 5AG**, the car park's postcode, and drive in from Crown Place, off the London Road (A4). The campus has up to 200 spaces for Great Hall events. Spaces go first come, first served, and they get tight at busy times. Evening and weekend events need no parking permit. Coming by train or bus? See [how to get to The Great Hall](/faq/access-travel/how-do-i-get-to-the-great-hall-reading). Is The Great Hall in Reading accessible? Yes, The Great Hall in Reading is accessible. You need to book a wheelchair space ahead of the concert. Write to once you have your ticket, and we will arrange it with the venue. Where can I hear Indian classical music in Reading? KalaSudha has presented Indian classical concerts in Reading at The Great Hall, on the London Road Campus, the University of Reading's original home. Concerts there took place on Sunday 14 September 2025 and twice on Saturday 12 September 2026, at midday and in the evening, as part of the Kala Festival. Who is the sarangi player Satwinder Pal Singh, and who taught him? [**Satwinder Pal Singh**](/artist/satwinder-pal-singh) is a London-based [sarangi](/instrument/sarangi) player from Moga, Punjab. He took up the sarangi at 11 under his father, Shaminder Pal Singh, a Top Grade artist of All India Radio, and in 2012 studied in Delhi with his father's teacher, Sabri Khan. He has also trained under Ram Narayan and Harsh Narayan. He plays the saranda, israj, dilruba and taus too, instruments his family has carried through generations of Sikh music. He and his father both hold Top Grade status for sarangi from All India Radio. Who is the tabla player Ustad Shahbaz Hussain, and who were his teachers? [**Ustad Shahbaz Hussain**](/artist/shahbaz-hussain) is a [tabla](/instrument/tabla) player who teaches across the north of England. He first studied under his father, the vocalist Mumtaz Hussain, then learned from Faiyaz Khan of the [Delhi gharana](/gharana/delhi-gharana-tabla) and from Shaukat Hussain Khan and Allah Rakha of the Punjab gharana. He leads the fusion group Indus and accompanies touring classical artists. He teaches at the University of Newcastle and the University of Huddersfield, and received the Son of Lahore Award from the Government of Pakistan in 2008. What is a sarangi? The [**sarangi**](/instrument/sarangi) is a short bowed instrument with three gut playing strings and around 35 **sympathetic strings** that resonate beneath them. Players stop the strings from the side with the backs of their **fingernails**. Many musicians hold that, of all Indian instruments, the sarangi sits closest to the human voice. What is the Senia-Maihar gharana, who founded it, and which KalaSudha artist plays in it? The [**Senia-Maihar gharana**](/gharana/senia-maihar-gharana) is the [sarod](/instrumental/hindustani-classical/sarod) lineage that Allauddin Khan founded at Maihar, a former princely state, in the early 20th century. Most sources treat it and the Maihar gharana as one school spanning several instruments. "Senia" names the Tansen line, which Allauddin Khan joined as a disciple of Wazir Khan of Rampur. He brought a **dhrupad** approach to the sarod, sitar, violin and bansuri. Among KalaSudha's artists, [Pandit Debasis Chakroborty](/artist/debasis-chakroborty) plays in the gharana. Have more questions? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to help!