For anyone in India looking for a night out with live music
Kala Concert: themed Indian classical music evenings in India
Kala Concert is KalaSudha's series of themed Indian classical music evenings in India, one theme at a time in every active city, as a single session or a double bill. Press Register for updates to hear each theme first.
What Kala Concert is
Kala Concert is the name of KalaSudha's concerts. In India, a Kala Concert is a themed Indian classical concert, a single session or a double bill, at any time of day. The theme can be a tour, a time of day, a raga, a season, a colour, a feeling or a message. One theme at a time runs in every active city. KalaSudha announces the theme first, then the artists, and the venue shortly before the concert.
The music is live. Over a drone, a steady sound that holds one tonal centre, the musicians improvise most of the performance as they play. The melody player and the tabla player answer each other, and jazz listeners will recognise that conversation.
Come on a date night or on your own. You share the room with people who came for the same music, and you have a chance to meet the artists. First-timers are welcome, and you book on the concert's own event page on kalasudha.com.
What a Kala Concert gives you
One theme at a time
Kala Concert runs one theme at a time in every active city. The theme sets the idea for the concert: a tour, a time of day, a raga, a season, a colour, a feeling or a message. KalaSudha announces it before the artists or the venue.
A chance to meet the artists
Kala Concerts give you a chance to meet the artists. KalaSudha names the artists after the theme, on the concert's own event page, so you know who is playing before you come.
Improvised in the room, for jazz listeners
If you listen to jazz for the improvising, you will recognise this music. The musicians read from no written score: they shape most of the performance as they play, and the melody player and the tabla player answer each other's phrases.
An evening out for two
Plan a date night around live music played close to you. You know the theme when you book, and you buy both tickets on the concert's own event page on kalasudha.com.
Meet people who come for the music
Come with friends or on your own. Everyone in the room chose the same theme, which gives you something to talk about with the people around you.
Keep the music going
Come and bring someone if you want this music to continue. A share of every paid activity goes to our artists development fund, which pays for concerts, recordings and the promotion of the art forms.
How a Kala Concert comes together
- Press Register for updates on this page. You hear first when KalaSudha announces a Kala Concert theme.
- KalaSudha announces the concert's theme, which runs in every active city.
- The artists follow, named on the concert's own event page on kalasudha.com, so you can see who is playing.
- Book your tickets on that page.
- KalaSudha announces the venue shortly before the concert.
- Come to the concert. You hear the music close to the artists, and you have a chance to meet them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there themed Indian classical music evenings in India, and how do I hear about them first?
KalaSudha runs Kala Concert, a series of themed Indian classical music evenings in India, with one theme at a time in every active city. A Kala Concert runs at any time of day, as a single session or a double bill. The theme can be a tour, a time of day, a raga, a season, a colour, a feeling or a message.
KalaSudha announces the theme of a concert first, then the artists, and the venue shortly before it. To hear each theme first, press Register for updates on the Kala Concert page.
What happens at a Kala Concert evening of Indian classical music, and what will I hear?
A Kala Concert is a live concert of Indian classical music on its theme, a single session or a double bill, at any time of day. Over a drone that holds one tonal centre, the musicians improvise most of the performance as they play. The melody player and the tabla player answer each other.
Kala Concerts give you a chance to meet the artists, and KalaSudha names them after it announces the theme.
Can I meet the artists at a Kala Concert evening of Indian classical music in India?
Kala Concerts give you a chance to meet the artists. KalaSudha announces the theme of a Kala Concert first and the artists after it. Both appear on the concert's own event page on kalasudha.com ahead of the concert, so you can see who is playing before you come.
Are there live improvised music nights in India for people who like jazz?
Kala Concerts in India are live improvised music, at any time of day, and jazz listeners recognise it. Indian classical musicians play from no written score and make up most of a performance as they play. Over a drone that holds one tonal centre, the melody player and the tabla player answer each other's phrases.
When does KalaSudha announce the artists and the venue for a Kala Concert evening in India?
KalaSudha announces the theme of a Kala Concert first, then the artists, and the venue shortly before the concert. You book on the concert's own event page on kalasudha.com. To hear each announcement first, press Register for updates on the Kala Concert page.
Where do I buy tickets for a Kala Concert evening of Indian classical music in India?
KalaSudha sells Kala Concert tickets on kalasudha.com, on each concert's own event page. That page carries the concert's theme and, once announced, its artists and venue. To hear first when KalaSudha announces a concert, press Register for updates on the Kala Concert page.
How do I hear when a Kala Concert evening of Indian classical music comes to my city in India?
Press Register for updates on the Kala Concert page, and KalaSudha tells you first when it announces a Kala Concert. Each announcement starts with the concert's theme, which runs in every active city. You book on the concert's own event page on kalasudha.com.
What is a baithak, and where can I go to one in India?
A baithak is a small, seated gathering for Indian classical music, with the audience close to the musicians.
For Kala Concert announcements in India, watch your city’s KalaSudha page and select Register for updates.