A top classical vocalist kicked off a three-day festival of Indian music and poetry on Saturday.

Manorama Prasad performed to a packed crowd at Raynes Park Library as the curtain-raiser for Saudha’s Ghazal, Thumri and Kheyal Festival.

She was accompanied by acclaimed violinist Balu Raghura and M Bala Chandar on Mridangham.

There were also performances of semi-classical Thumri and Ghazal poetry and performance poetry from David Lee Morgan.

Audience member Rebecca Smith said: “I visited India recently. That made me explore more about it here. What I witnessed today is simply the rhapsody of soul. The hypnotic music provokes you to an endless dialogue. What a beautiful way of spending my evening.”

The festival is organised by Saudha Society of Poetry and Indian Music and seeks to promote pan-Indian classical music, including combining it with Western classical music, world poetry, dance, painting and other art forms.

Saudha director Ahmed Kaysher said: “The attendance and serious interest from the audiences of diverse communities and their kind feedback prove the power and possibilities of this art form in the West.”

The event continues on Saturday (March 12) at Morden Assembly Hall, with acclaimed Indian classical vocalist Chandra Chakraborty with the accompaniment of Tabla Maestro Sanju Sahai, Kamabir Nadra on violin, Rekesh Chauhan on Harmonium and Erik Schelander for Troubadour and poetry recitation. The festival draws to a close on Sunday (March 13) with a show in east London.

Go to saudha.org

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