---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/what-will-i-hear-at-an-indian-classical-concert-in-totnes-if-im-new-to-it'
title: "What will I hear at an Indian classical concert in Totnes if I'm new to it?"
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/0f961cccc99524ed'
date: '2026-10-18T22:53:25+00:00'
updated: '2026-10-19T22:04:59+00:00'
type: website
summary: 'A raga opens with a slow alap before the tabla enters, over two halves; near Totnes, audiences have heard sitar, raga piano and tabla.'
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
---
  [  Help ](/en-gb/help)     What will I hear at an Indian classical concert in Totnes if I'm new to it?  

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# What will I hear at an Indian classical concert in Totnes if I'm new to it?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 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 enters with the composition, the rhythm takes hold. KalaSudha concerts run in two halves with a short interval, about 2 to 2½ hours. KalaSudha's Dartington Ragas Festival, near Totnes, brought the sitar player Pandit Jonathan Mayer, the raga pianist Deepak Shah and the tabla player Ustad Akram Khan. See the [first-time listener guide](/faq/at-the-concert/i-have-never-been-to-an-indian-classical-concert-will-i-follow-it) and [concerts near Totnes](/faq/where-can-i-hear-indian-classical-music-near-totnes).



 

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 ###  Cities (1) 

- [            Totnes Dartington, near Totnes: KalaSudha's Indian classical music in a medieval Great Hall, from the 2023 Trinity Trio to a full-day raga festival.     ](/en-gb/place/totnes)
 
  

 

 

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