Raga@7 Tohfa 2026 – Bols & Taals of Yorkshire & Lancashire

A gift of music. A celebration of tradition. A new generation finding its rhythm.

Tohfa means gift — and this special Raga@7 concert is a heartfelt offering from a new generation of young musicians in Yorkshire and Lancashire to the teachers, Gurus, parents, supporters, donors & funders who have nurtured their musical journeys.

Bringing together emerging talent and established masters, Tohfa 2026 celebrates the enduring tradition of Parampara — the passing of knowledge, values and musical heritage from one generation to the next.

At the heart of the evening are Jamie Shilliday and Sukhraj Singh Virdee, two young musicians preparing to move on from the SAA-uk Music Academy as they embark on their university journeys. Before they take their next steps, they return to the stage to share their music as a Tohfa — a gift of gratitude to those who have guided and supported them.

Their debut performances will be accompanied by acclaimed esraj player Ustad Kirpal Singh Panesar, one of the UK’s respected practitioners and teachers of Indian classical music.

A Celebration of Rhythm
The evening culminates in Parampara, a powerful tabla duet featuring Kayam Hussain and Ali Hashim Hussain, who continue the musical lineage of their father and Guru, Ustad Shahbaz Hussain.

Through intricate rhythms, dynamic improvisation and energetic musical dialogue, their performance celebrates the artistry and complexity of tabla — and the extraordinary ways in which musical knowledge is carried forward through generations.

From intimate solo performances to exhilarating rhythmic exchanges, Tohfa 2026 offers an uplifting evening of Indian classical music, celebrating where tradition comes from, where it is going, and the young musicians carrying it forward.

Featuring:
Ustad Kirpal Singh Panesar – Esraj
A highly respected esraj player, teacher and exponent of Indian classical music, accompanying Jamie and Sukhraj in their debut Leeds performances.

Jamie Shilliday – Tabla Solo
SAA-uk Music Academy student Jamie shares his love and passion for tabla in a special solo performance. Jamie’s regular tabla tutor is Sri John Ball. In preparation for this concert, he has also been mentored by Aman Pal Singh.

Sukhraj Singh Virdee – Tabla Solo
Also a SAA-uk Music Academy student, Sukhraj will present a dynamic solo performance showcasing precision, skill and a deep understanding of rhythmic traditions. Sukhraj was previously taught by Bhupinder Singh Chaggar and is currently a student of Sri John Ball. For this concert, he has also been working with Aman Pal Singh as part of his preparation.

Kayam Hussain & Ali Hashim Hussain – Tabla Duet
Parampara — a captivating celebration of musical inheritance, discipline, virtuosity and creativity, bringing one generation into dialogue with the next. Their performance represents the Shahbaz Hussain lineage, with both musicians trained under their father and Guru, Ustad Shahbaz Hussain.

Bringing together emerging young talent from Yorkshire and Lancashire, Tohfa 2026 celebrates the next generation of Indian classical musicians — honouring the rich traditions they have inherited while finding their own voice within them.

Come and experience a special evening where rhythm becomes a gift, tradition becomes a journey, and the next generation takes its place on stage.

If you’ve ever been curious or mesmerised by Indian classical music, then this is the podcast for you: Indian Classical Music: a Listener’s Guide: https://www.indiansummer.org.uk/icmpodcast