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Darbar: Exploring the Beauty of Raga Kamas By Jayanthi Kumaresh (Masterclass)

Darbar Festival 2026

,Frobisher Rooms
Jayanthi Kumaresh

Step inside the tradition where technical mastery and melodic beauty are inseparable in this intimate masterclass on Raga Kamas with Jayanthi Kumaresh on the saraswati veena. 

In this masterclass, Jayanthi Kumaresh, one of the foremost venna artists of her generation, opens up Raga Kamas from the inside: its lakshana and signature prayogas, the characteristic gamakas that give the raga its distinctive voice on the veena, and how a structured alapana is built phrase by phrase into a complete melodic statement. Students will also learn Muthuswami Dikshitar's kṛiti Santana Gopalakrsnam, exploring the fingering techniques and gamakas that let the composition unfold the raga's beauty.

This is part technique, part improvisation - Kumaresh demonstrates how kalpanaswara phrases are built and resolved, how neraval opens a line of the kṛiti into fresh melodic possibility, and how manodharma turns raga knowledge into spontaneous, confident expression on the Veena.  

Tagged with: Classical music Darbar Festival 2026 Talks & events

Please note:
Doors open at 12:30, Admission is not permitted 5 mins after the session has started.

This masterclass is designed for intermediate and advanced students ready to deepen their raga understanding and find their own creative voice within tradition.

Notations will be provided to the students beforehand.  

Part of Darbar Festival 2026

Performers

  • Jayanthi Kumaresh   saraswati veena

Ticket prices

Standard
£59 (£55 + £4 transaction fee)

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Frobisher Rooms

Location
The Frobisher Rooms are located on Level 4 in the main Barbican building and can be accessed by lift or stairs from Level G. 

Address
Level 4,
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.