--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/help/at-the-concert/ive-never-been-to-an-indian-classical-concert-what-should-i-expect' title: 'Indian classical concert: what to expect | KalaSudha Help' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/user/fce96177fd193d3a' date: '2026-10-28T14:12:20+00:00' type: website summary: 'What to expect at an Indian classical concert with KalaSudha: door times, tickets, seating, the interval, phones and photos, clapping, dress and children.' tags: - 'At the concert' - Tickets - Seating - Access 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 --- [At the concert](/en-in/help/at-the-concert) # I've never been to an Indian classical concert. What should I expect? At a KalaSudha concert you arrive at the door time, show your ticket's QR code and take your seat. It runs about 2 to 2½ hours in two halves, and the music opens slow and quiet. 3 min read Updated October 28, 2026 In this article [When should I arrive?](#section-0) [Show your ticket at the door](#section-1) [Finding your seat](#section-2) [How long is it, and is there an interval?](#section-3) [Phones and photos](#section-4) [How the music starts](#section-5) [When do I clap?](#section-6) [What should I wear?](#section-7) [Can I bring children?](#section-8) [What if I am late?](#section-9) [Access needs and travel](#section-10) [Get help](#section-11) What to expect at an Indian classical concert with KalaSudha: you arrive at the door time, show the QR code on your ticket and take your seat. The concert runs about 2 to 2½ hours in two halves with a short interval, and the music opens slow and quiet. Each section below gives the short answer and links to the full article. For the music itself, read [I'm new to Indian classical music. Where do I start?](/en-in/help/getting-started/im-new-to-indian-classical-music-where-do-i-start) ## When should I arrive? Arrive at the door time on the event page. Times are UK local time. A raga programme opens with the alap, so if you come on time you hear the raga from its first notes. Find your concert on the [events page](/en-in/events), and read [When should I arrive?](/en-in/faq/at-the-concert/when-should-i-arrive) for more. ## Show your ticket at the door Your ticket PDF has one QR code per ticket, with the words "Scan at the entrance" under it. Show it on your phone or printed, and our staff scan it. Each person needs their own ticket's code. Read [Show your ticket at the door](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/show-your-ticket-at-the-door), and if you cannot find the email, [Find your tickets after booking](/en-in/help/tickets-booking/find-your-tickets-after-booking). ## Finding your seat Seating varies by venue. Some concerts have reserved seats that you pick at booking. Others have zones, where you sit anywhere in your zone, or unreserved seating, where you take any free seat on arrival. The ticket options on the booking page show which, and a reserved-seat ticket shows your seat. Read [Is my seat reserved, or do I sit anywhere?](/en-in/help/tickets-booking/is-my-seat-reserved-or-do-i-sit-anywhere) ## How long is it, and is there an interval? A KalaSudha concert lasts about 2 to 2½ hours, in two halves with a short interval. The first half holds the classical raga set. The second half often brings different players or a different form, and the event page gives the line-up with the exact start and finish times. Read [How long is a KalaSudha concert?](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/how-long-is-a-kalasudha-concert) or [Is there an interval?](/en-in/faq/at-the-concert/is-there-an-interval) ## Phones and photos Switch your phone off or to silent before the music starts, and keep texting for the interval. A lit screen shows from the stage. Cameras and phones stay down while the musicians play. At the end of the concert, we encourage photos and short clips. We do not allow long-form recording of the music for public release, in any form. For press or other recording, write to before the day. Read [Can I take photos or film at a KalaSudha concert?](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/can-i-take-photos-or-film-at-a-kalasudha-concert) or the FAQ [Can I photograph or film the performance?](/en-in/faq/at-the-concert/can-i-photograph-or-film-the-performance) ## How the music starts A raga opens with the **alap**, a slow section with no pulse. On an instrument the **jor** follows, with a steady pulse, and the tabla enters with the composition. That is why the first minutes are slow and quiet. You need no theory to follow them. Read [I have never been to an Indian classical concert. Will I follow it?](/en-in/faq/at-the-concert/i-have-never-been-to-an-indian-classical-concert-will-i-follow-it) Our glossary of Indian classical music explains the terms you will hear. ## When do I clap? Clap at the end of each piece. A soft "wah" or brief applause at a striking moment is normal. If you are unsure, wait for the end of the piece, and stay silent while the musicians tune. Read [When should I clap at an Indian classical concert?](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/when-should-i-clap-at-an-indian-classical-concert) ## What should I wear? There is no dress code. Many people dress up, and you will see jeans and saris at the same concert. Wear something comfortable to sit in for two hours. Read the FAQ [What should I wear?](/en-in/faq/at-the-concert/what-should-i-wear) ## Can I bring children? Yes. All ages are welcome. Every child needs a ticket, and under-16s come with an adult. Read [Can I bring children to a KalaSudha concert?](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/can-i-bring-children-to-a-kalasudha-concert) ## What if I am late? You can still come in. Wait, then take your seat at a natural pause between pieces. Read [What if I arrive late to a KalaSudha concert?](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/what-if-i-arrive-late-to-a-kalasudha-concert) ## Access needs and travel If you have access needs or come with a carer, read [Book with access needs or bring a carer](/en-in/help/tickets-booking/book-with-access-needs-or-bring-a-carer) and the FAQ [I have access needs. Who do I talk to?](/en-in/faq/access-travel/i-have-access-needs-who-do-i-talk-to) Travel and parking details sit in the venue section of each event page. ## Get help For anything this page does not answer, email or use the [contact page](/en-in/contact). We reply within one working day. See [Contact us](/help/general/contact-us). [Tickets](/en-in/help?tag=290#help-articles) [Seating](/en-in/help?tag=294#help-articles) [Access](/en-in/help?tag=299#help-articles) Was this article helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Last updated: October 28, 2026 ## In this article [When should I arrive?](#section-0) [Show your ticket at the door](#section-1) [Finding your seat](#section-2) [How long is it, and is there an interval?](#section-3) [Phones and photos](#section-4) [How the music starts](#section-5) [When do I clap?](#section-6) [What should I wear?](#section-7) [Can I bring children?](#section-8) [What if I am late?](#section-9) [Access needs and travel](#section-10) [Get help](#section-11) Need more help with this topic? [Contact support](/en-in/contact) ## Related articles [ Leave a review after a KalaSudha concert ](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/leave-a-review-after-a-kalasudha-concert) [ When should I clap at an Indian classical concert? ](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/when-should-i-clap-at-an-indian-classical-concert) [ Can I take photos or film at a KalaSudha concert? ](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/can-i-take-photos-or-film-at-a-kalasudha-concert) [ Can I bring children to a KalaSudha concert? ](/en-in/help/at-the-concert/can-i-bring-children-to-a-kalasudha-concert) ### Still need help? Can't find what you're looking for? Our support team is here for you. [Contact Support](/en-in/contact) Most enquiries answered within 2-3 business days.