Ragamala Comes to Big Ears

On Saturday, March 28, beginning at 10am and continuing until 8pm at St. John’s Cathedral, Big Ears 2026 will present an epic 10-hour immersion into one of the world’s deepest and richest musical and spiritual traditions.

Ragamala (a “garland of ragas”) offers a rare path into South Asian classical music—not as a single concert, but as a full-day journey shaped by time, mood, and atmosphere. Many ragas are traditionally tied to specific hours of the day, revealing different colors and moods as morning gives way to afternoon and evening. For the first time at Big Ears, an eight-hour presentation unfolds opening with shimmering morning music from santoor virtuoso Kunal Gunjal, moving through spellbinding Carnatic strings and percussion led by Saraswathi Ranganathan and Selvaganesh Vinayakram, and culminating in expansive performances by sitar master Purbayan Chatterjee and Pakistani Kayhal vocalist The Saami Brothers featuring their father Ustad Naseeruddin Saami. The program concludes with distinct tone and explosive creativity of master musician L. Shankar and his double violin and vocals.

Whether you come for an hour or stay all day, Ragamala invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and experience how music changes with the passing of time.

A Saturday Single Day Pass to Big Ears is a great way to experience Ragamala.
Supplies are limited, so act soon.

L. Shankar, Selvaganesh Vinayakram & Swaminathan Selvaganesh

Legendary innovator L. Shankar brings his electrifying double violin and vocals together with south Indian percussion masters Selvaganesh Vinayakram and his son Swaminathan Selvaganesh for an expansive set of Carnatic ragas. A founding member of Shakti and one of Indian music’s great crossover figures, Shankar’s virtuosic, deeply expressive playing finds a powerful counterpart in the rhythmic mastery of fellow Shakti family members.

The Saami Brothers

featuring Ustad Naseeruddin Saami

Rarely is South Asian classical khayal style of vocal presented in its pure form. This program offers the opportunity to experience the sacred soundscape of Khayal in its most authentic expression, with Ustads Rauf and Urooj on vocals, Ahmed Saami on harmonium, and their father, the revered Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, appearing as a special guest. For this program, the vocals will be accentuated by sarangi – a bowed stringed instrument which mimics the sound and depth of voice as well as tabla.

Kunal Gunjal & Praveen Narayan

Santoor virtuoso Kunal Gunjal—one of the instrument’s most exciting young voices—joins young tabla master Praveen Narayan for a 90-minute set of Hindustani morning ragas. Gunjal’s shimmering 72-string santoor, shaped by his studies with legendary Shivkumar Sharma, sets the tone for the day as music traditionally heard at dawn unfolds in its intended light.

Saraswathi Ranganathan, Swaminathan Selvaganesh & Praveen Narayan

Veena master Saraswathi Ranganathan leads a richly textured set of Carnatic ragas, joined by master percussionists Swaminathan Selvaganesh on kanjira, with Praveen Narayan on tabla. A vital force in expanding the presence of Carnatic music in the U.S., Ranganathan’s deeply resonant veena unfolds alongside intricate, responsive rhythms in a performance that highlights the tradition’s melodic depth and rhythmic vitality.

Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan Selvaganesh & Praveen Narayan

Two time Grammy winner and master percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram is the son of original Shakti and Planet Drum member, Vikku Vinayakram. He brings the explosive precision of Carnatic rhythms to Ragamala through a series of solos, duos, and ensemble performances. Featuring the kanjira and konnakol, and joined by his son, Swaminathan Selvaganesh and fellow percussionist Praveen Narayan, these sets spotlight the deep rhythmic language at the heart of Carnatic music—virtuosic, conversational, and thrillingly alive.

Purbayan Chatterjee & Nitin Mitta

Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee—one of India’s most celebrated contemporary masters—joins tabla great Nitin Mitta for a 90-minute performance of Hindustani ragas. Known for both deep tradition and bold exploration, Chatterjee brings a luminous, sophisticated and melodic approach to the sitar, paired with Mitta’s authoritative and expressive rhythmic voice.