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.