Our Work, mission & values
Indian classical music is an art form practiced in India for thousands of years deriving from Vedic texts (a vast body of Sanskrit poetry, philosophical dialogue, myths and incantations) which considered sound as a divine entity. Beginning as chants and developed into a system of notes, it is a powerful form of artistic expression embodying the spiritual, aesthetic and philosophical traditions of India. It is an oral tradition whereby student learn in apprenticeship to their guru (teacher) where they learn not only music, but philosophy and moral values.
Its intricate and complex musical structures, as well as its use of melody, rhythm and improvisation, have the potential to transport listeners to a higher level of consciousness and promote a sense of inner peace and tranquillity.
Read more about Indian classical music.
The Mission
Our mission is to develop audiences through our festivals and live events, music education courses and entertainment. Our entertainment work includes television programmes, streaming and social media channels. In addition, we invest in our operations to help us reach and engage with wider audiences and generate new revenues to ensure our sustainability for the future.
The Values
We abide by the following values both with-in and outside our organisation ecosystem
Mutual respect manifests in all we do – from ensuring fair renumeration and equality for both headlining and accompanying artists; to valuing our team for their diverse contributions and to invoking the graciousness of Indian hospitality at our events.
We believe in honouring Indian classical music in it’s true form, so we don’t dumb it down but present it authentically. Our curation is based on decades of artistic judgement to present artists based on their merit. We strive to be a reliable, trustworthy, ethical charity for all our stakeholders.
We are a small team of driven professionals, responsible for our actions, decisions and the timely delivery of our work, whilst upholding the excellent quality Darbar is known for. Together we consistently deliver exceptional standards and results.
We want Indian classical music to achieve the value and recognition it deserves as a global art form by worldwide audiences and we refute the derogatory term ‘world music.’ We work proactively to challenge persistent inequalities in Indian classical arts based on discrimination on, for example, gender identity, belief or caste and lineage, due to our deep-seated sense of social justice and respect for artists and the art form itself.
We embrace the spiritual principle of sewa (selfless service) and believe that by serving the greater good of the timeless tradition of Indian classical music, we contribute, in our small way, to the collective wellbeing of society. Sewa guides us in our commitment to preserving and promoting Indian classical music for the cultural enrichment of all.
Festivals and live events
Indian classical music holds a unique power to move, uplift and connect people across cultures. Through festivals, live events and partnerships, we celebrate under-represented artists and reach diverse, often underserved audiences. From world-class venues to community spaces, we also highlight the music’s holistic benefits through concerts and wellbeing practices.
Leicester Audience Development Plan
Where it all started. Darbar was set up in memory of Bhai Gurmit Singh Virdee, a revolutionary tabla teacher in Leicester, one of the UK’s most diverse cities, where he taught and enriched the lives of hundreds of students.
Darbar Festival
The life blood of Darbar is our annual Darbar Festival. It is what we are known for by audiences and artists alike. Held in London every autumn and reaching about 10,000 people, the festival is a celebration of some of the best Indian classical musicians from across the world.
Entertainment
We recognise that not everyone can access performance spaces for a range of reasons. Increasing accessibility is behind our pioneering online services reaching non-regular arts attenders.
SkyArts Series
Since 2008, as part of our corporate partnership with Sky Arts TV, we have been producing television programmes showcasing a diverse selection of full-length concerts from the Darbar Festival. Reaching audiences across Europe these are usually broadcast between November and January.
Darbar Player
The Netflix of Indian Classical Music, this is our subscription-based app for on-demand content featuring full length concerts; special Director Cuts; Sky TV programmes; interviews and in-conversation sessions; fly-on-the wall shorts; yoga and much more. This is Darbar quality on your devices on the go.
Social Media
Our social media channels are a way to engage with you – our audiences – to listen to your feedback and great ideas and to share our passion for this truly glorious art form.
Education
The Darbar Academy offers accessible, holistic learning in Indian classical music. Our initiatives range from school projects and online courses in vocals, sitar, tabla and harmonium to masterclasses, artist residencies and talent development. We support learners of all levels through meaningful, inclusive experiences.
