Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music.

Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music 2026 where rich tradition meets mesmerising live performance is back in full splendour this March in Melbourne. Over a weekend celebration of raag, rhythm and virtuosic artistry, some of the most revered names in Hindustani classical music will take the stage, bringing centuries-old sounds and heartfelt expression to Australian audience.

Saturday, 7 March — Afternoon Sarod Recital
Smt Rajrupa Chowdhary (Sarod) opens the festival with an evocative afternoon performance. A distinguished exponent of the Senia Shahjahanpur Gharana, she carries forward decades of lineage on the sarod with intense emotion and spirited presence. Accompanied by tabla player Ramendra Solanki, her music promises both depth and dynamism.

Saturday, 7 March — Evening Vocal Rapture
Vd Kalapini Komkali (Vocal) headlines the Saturday evening concert. With a deeply melodious and richly expressive voice, she is celebrated as one of the brightest vocalists of her generation — blending tradition with lyrical finesse learned from her legendary musical lineage.

Sunday, 8 March — Morning Dhrupad Immersion
Pt Uday Bhawalkar (Dhrupad Vocal) leads the Sunday morning session with a rare, meditative exploration of dhrupad — one of the oldest forms of Hindustani classical music. With decades of discipline and performances across the world, his voice carries both historical weight and profound spiritual resonance.

Sunday, 8 March — Evening Sitar Celebration
The festival culminates with Ustad Shujaat Khan (Sitar) — a global sitar legend whose lineage and artistry trace back generations. Known for his expressive gayaki ang style that mirrors the human voice, Ustad Shujaat’s concert is a highlight not just of the festival but of the wider 2026 Melbourne music calendar. Accompanying tabla artists bring additional rhythmic spark to this unforgettable finale.

Whether you’re a devoted follower of Indian classical music or someone who simply appreciates extraordinary live performance, the Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music is a rare opportunity to witness living masterpieces of the Hindustani tradition right here in Australia — a weekend of culture, connection and sound that resonates long after the last note