Bristol Ragas: Slide & Strum on The Mystic Frets

Dear music lovers from Bristol, we are delighted to present "Slide & Strum on The Mystic Frets" as part of Kala Festival 2026 at Trinity Centre, Bristol. A unique musical journey that beautifully bridges the ancient traditions of Indian classical music with the expressive freedom of Western guitar playing.

This special evening features an extraordinary collaboration between three masterful artists from different musical worlds: Indian Slide Guitar maestro Pandit Debasis Chakroborty, visiting from Agra, India; guitarist Giuliano Modarelli from the UK; Sam Evans on Tabla from Australia; and RN Prakash on Ghatam.

The addition of (RN) Bangalore Prakash brings the earthy, intricate rhythmic colours of Carnatic percussion into the concert, adding another rare flavour to this live experiment. It is a special opportunity to witness legendary artists exploring such cross-tradition dialogue on stage.

In this concert, the soulful, meditative voice of the Indian slide guitar will converse with the rich harmonies and techniques of the Western guitar, elegantly supported by the rhythmic brilliance of the tabla and ghatam. The performance promises a deep musical dialogue that honours both tradition and innovation.

Classical Foundations

The first session will explore the pure essence of Indian classical music. A soul-stirring Raga-based composition featuring Alap and Jod (20 minutes).Followed by two short compositions of 15 minutes each, set in lively 7-beat and 10-beat cycles (Rupak and Jhaptal). This segment highlights the lyrical beauty and improvisational depth of Indian ragas through the duo's unique guitar timbre.

Fusion Horizons

The second session after intermission opens the doors to creative exploration with exciting fusion-style compositions. Three improvised pieces, each 10 minutes long, showcasing the seamless blending of Indian and Western musical elements, rhythms, and textures.

This part of the concert celebrates the joy of musical discovery, where guitars weave melody, harmony, and rhythm in spontaneous, captivating ways, accompanied by the tabla and ghatam.