Khyal vocalist Samarth Nagarkar presents an immersive concert exploring ragas through the lens of the Gwalior, Agra, and Jaipur traditions. Through bandish-centered improvisation and intricate rhythmic dialogue, the performance by the Khyal Ensemble reveals how a raga gradually unfolds in the khyal form.

Samarth Nagarkar is a virtuoso khyal singer, educator, and author, renowned for his meditative artistry, technical finesse, emotive depth, and a vast repertoire of ragas, compositions, and stylistic elements. He is a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammys) and has received prestigious honors, including the Excellence in the Arts Award from NAKA, USA.

Trained under distinguished gurus Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar and Pt. Dinkar Kaikini, Samarth’s music reflects a distinctive synthesis of the Gwalior, Agra, and Jaipur gharana traditions. He is a former scholar of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata. Samarth performs at renowned venues worldwide, including Lincoln Center (New York), Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (Mumbai), and UCLA Schoenberg Hall (Los Angeles). He is the author of the acclaimed book Raga Sangeet and has released several solo and collaborative recordings. Alongside his performance career, he presents educational programs, lecture-demonstrations, and community listening sessions that introduce audiences to the art of raga and improvisation. He frequently presents guest lectures and workshops at institutions such as UCLA, NYU, and the University of Minnesota. He also advocates for global musical dialogue through collaborations with jazz musicians, Maqam ensembles, African musicians, and contemporary cross-genre projects, weaving together diverse traditions while remaining deeply rooted in the classical idiom. Samarth founded Raga Sangeet Creative Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting and supporting Indian classical music, and co-founded Brooklyn Raga Massive. He also pioneered the use of digital platforms such as Patreon in Indian classical music to foster audience engagement, education, and mentorship.

Shreya Suresh

Shreya Suresh

Shreya Suresh