Kairabh - Beyond Silence

A journey where sound meets stillness. Beyond Silence invites listeners to experience music as meditation — where every note breathes, pauses, and transcends. Rooted in the timeless tradition of Indian classical music, this evening celebrates the subtle spaces between notes — the silences that speak, and the emotions that awaken within them.

Join us as artists explore the essence of listening beyond words, beyond rhythm, and beyond silence itself.

Pandit Shantanu Bhattacharyya is one of the finest vocalists in Hindustani Raag Sangeet today. He came first in both Khayal and Thumri categories in the Akashbani Music Competition at the age of 20 and achieved the Top Grade designation from Prasar Bharati early in his career.

Initiated into music by his mother Ira Bhattacharyya, Shantanu received further training from Sukhendu Goswami and received extensive taalim from the stalwarts Pt. Prasun Banerjee and Vidushi Meera Banerjee, both of whom had studied under the late Ud. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, the legendary exponent of Patiala gharana singing style. Shantanu also studied with Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata.

Shantanu has sung at many major festivals in India such as the Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Allauddin Khan Smriti Samaroh, Sangeet Natak Akademi Festival, to name a few. He is featured regularly on radio and TV, and has travelled widely in Canada, USA, UK, France, Italy, Finland, Germany, Australia and Singapore.

Pandit ji's music school Aalor Pathe Raga Dhwani in Kolkata has won accolades from one and all, for the brilliant performances of the young pupils learning under him in the guru-shishya tradition. He has also conducted music workshops at schools all over the world, composed numerous Raag-based ensemble compositions, written articles for journals and books, compositions of devotional songs and meditation music, released in CDs.

Kayla Milmine loves the new and under-explored sonic possibilities that only the soprano saxophone can offer. Her unique approach has the edginess and brashness of Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell yet also a warmth and thoughtfulness reminiscent of Steve Lacy. In 2019, Milmine released a solo album called ‘Straight Horn Magick’; a mixture of field recordings and solo soprano saxophone improvisations, followed by another solo album she released in 2022 called ‘Moods of Yellow’. She plays regularly in trio form with vocalist/dancer Susanna Hood, and pianist Tania Gill, and in duo form with pianist Diane Roblin in their project called ‘Ladyfinger’. In February 2019, she was invited to record with celebrated bassist, William Parker in a chamber-improv sextet in NY, where she often travels to study with mentor/collaborator, Sam Newsome. She is co-founder of the Women From Space Festival in Toronto.

Sri Sudhir Kumar Ghorai is an accomplished Tabla artist and a senior disciple of the legendary maestro, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee since 1990. Under his guru's guidance, Sudhir has mastered the nuances of Tabla and establishing himself as a sought-after accompanist for both vocal and instrumental classical music.

Sudhir is graded with All India Radio and regularly participates in prestigious concerts. He has performed at numerous renowned platforms across India and Bangladesh, including The All Bengal Music Conference (Kolkata), The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (Kolkata) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Festival in New Delhi, to name a few. He has had accompanied many distinguished maestros such as Pandit Vinayak Torvi, Pandit Shantanu Bhattacharyya, Pandit Debasish Bhattacharya, Pandit Partho Sarathi, to seal his reputation as a senior tabla artist.

With Indian Scottish roots in multicultural Toronto, Anita Katakkar’s music represents a link between her heritage and community. She is a multi-faceted composing, performing and recording artist, with a focus on North Indian tabla. Anita has studied tabla for over 20 years, in Toronto with composer and musician Ritesh Das, and in California and Kolkata with the celebrated tabla maestro of the Lucknow tradition, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. She has recorded tabla on the Juno award winning album Thieves of Dreams by Lenka Lichtenberg, and has shared the stage with the legendary bassist William Parker. Anita’s solo project called Rakkatak, presents classical tabla compositions using a palette of rhythm, melody and ambient textures. Rakkatak’s song, Heliosphere, is the opening to CBC Radio’s “Big City Small World” hosted by Errol Nazareth. Rakkatak has released an EP and 3 full length albums, including their latest Char Taal and a Raga Rainbow, released in 2021. Anita's latest project “Amrita” features saxophonist Kayla Milmine, and can be described as a fusion between modal jazz and North Indian classical music. Amrita's debut album, produced by Justin Gray, will be released in May of 2026.

Smt Durba Bhattacharyya is an acclaimed vocalist and harmonium accompanist and is a guru of Hindustani classical vocal music - Khayal, Bhajan and Ragashrayee Bengali songs. A regular broadcaster from Akashvani Kolkata, she has performed all over India and in USA, Canada & Europe. Durba is an ex-scholar of ITC Sangeet Research Academy under Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty, and like her husband Shantanu ji, has learnt extensively from Late Guruma Meera Banerjee, the doyenne of Patiala gharana. She is a Gold Medalist from Pracheen Kala Kendra Chandigarh, and has several music albums to her credit.

Mitra Bhattacharyya has learnt singing from her mother, Smt. Durba Bhattacharyya, and has been taking advanced taalim from her father, Pt. Shantanu Bhattacharyya.

She stood first in some of the National level raag sangeet competitions and has performed in several cities in India, as well as in Italy, USA and Canada.

Mitra has pursued both her Bachelor's and Masters in Comparative Literature at Jadavpur University, Kolkata; and aspires for a synthesis of music and academics in herself to present an integrated form of art that is rooted and yet ever-evolving.

She also thoroughly enjoys training younger children in the fundamentals of raag sangeet.

Trained in Toronto and deeply rooted in the Guru-Shishya tradition of India, Johnathan Kay has redefined musical boundaries with his soulful saxophone. He is internationally acclaimed for his groundbreaking fusion of Jazz improvisation and Indian Classical music.

Why You Can't Miss This:
A Sonic Journey Across Cultures – Experience a rare blend of Jazz, Indian Classical, and contemporary global sounds. Unparalleled Artistry – Witness musical dialogues that transcend traditions, performed by virtuosos. A Celebration of Unity – Feel the power of music in bringing people, cultures, and emotions together.
Let’s immerse ourselves in the colors of rhythm, melody, and movement. Join us for an evening that promises to be as soulful as it is exhilarating!
Don't just hear the music, feel the calmness!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch Avenue West, Toronto, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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