THURSDAY 13TH MARCH | 7pm | £10 - £16 ADV
Delight and allow your imagination to flow as you experience "Khayal" vocals by Dr Shishir Rao.
Committed to bringing you quality music from South Asia, The Mehfil Space is delighted to bring you Shishir who will perform Hindustani vocal tradition of khayal, meaning "imagination". Shishir will be accompanied by skilful Himmet S Bahra on tabla, during this night of 'Mehfil - e - Rose Hill' - a year's programme of south Asian classical raag music. The concept of "Mehfil" is truly special: offering a unique opportunity to enjoy live music in a close-knit setting. 'Mehfil' has been defined as "a gathering where music or poetry is performed for a small audience in an intimate setting."
Dr. Shishir Rao is a Hindustani classical Khayal vocalist, with over twenty-five years of training under Sri. Nachiketa Yakkundi of the lineage of Padma Bhushan Pandit Basavraj Rajguru of the Kirana gharana. His musical education includes advanced studies at Kolkata's Sangeet Research Academy, and he performs regularly across India, the USA, and the UK.
Alongside his musical pursuits, Shishir co-leads research in AI modelling of chronic diseases at the University of Oxford and hosts "OxKala," a podcast exploring South Asian classical music.
At the heart of Shishir’s approach to Khayal is receptive musicianship – staying open to musical possibilities as they unfold in the moment. In performance, this philosophy comes alive through dynamic ensemble interaction, where each artist contributes vital ideas to the raga's development. Every concert becomes a collaborative dialogue, with all musicians collectively shaping the musical journey. This spirit of openness extends to the audience as well – true to Khayal's meaning of imagination, he approaches each performance from first principles, inviting listeners to join him in discovering unexpected moments of beauty.
Ending with a vinyl only DJ set by Equal I, who mixes tabla percussions and melodic vocals to bring you a drum and space set, reminiscent of Anokha nights of 1996 at The Blue Note. Getting you up on your feet, if you wish!
The Mehfil Space, set up by local curator Atiya Gourlay is collaborating with the beloved Brighton venue, The Rose Hill and zer0classikal.
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Opening set support from Persian String Collective, in collaboration with One World Orchestra.
In the heart of an ancient Persian courtyard, four musicians converge, weaving together rich melodies that transport listeners to the enchanting landscapes of Iran. Together the four musicians conjure an atmosphere rich with the essence of ancient Persia, where history and music merge, inviting the audience to lose themselves in a world steeped in myth and beauty.
Ramin the Santoor player, with nimble fingers dancing across the strings, produces shimmering, ethereal notes reminiscent of distant rivers flowing through sun-drenched valleys. Beside him, Amir Hossein Heydari the Kamanche player, cradling the four-stringed instrument with an air of reverence, draws soulful, deep tones that evoke the longing of a timeless love. Farhang is a celebrated tonbak player of 15years, renowned for his soulful interpretations of this transportative Persian drum. The tonbak, characterized by its deep, resonating tones and intricate rhythms, holds a special place in the sphere of Persian music, evoking the charm and mystique of ancient times. British born musician Sara Khoroosi, from Brighton’s very own Flamenco Jazz ensemble ‘Clandestino’, brings together these three wonderful Iranian musicians and joins them with her vibrant melodies on violin, in respect of her unknown yet familiar and heartfelt heritage, creating a harmonious dialogue of sound.
