South Asian Festival 2026: Hanif Khan & Ilesh Patel Present Tabla and Sitar Jugalbandi in London

South Asian Festival 2026 presents a Hindustani classical music concert featuring a Tabla and Sitar Jugalbandi by Hanif Khan and Ilesh Patel on 4 July 2026 at Sutton Central Library, London. Organised as part of the wider South Asian Festival, the event celebrates the shared musical traditions of the Indian subcontinent through a live presentation of two of its most recognised classical instruments.

The recital brings together tabla and sitar in a traditional jugalbandi format, where rhythm and melody interact through improvisation, solo passages, and collaborative performance. Hanif Khan and Ilesh Patel explore the expressive and rhythmic dimensions of Hindustani classical music while presenting the dialogue between percussion and string traditions that has long been a defining feature of Indian classical concerts.

The performance forms part of a day-long festival celebrating South Asian culture through music, dance, visual arts, exhibitions, traditional fashion, food, and community activities. Alongside the classical concert, the festival showcases the cultural diversity of South Asia and offers audiences opportunities to experience its artistic heritage in an inclusive public setting.

Presented at Sutton Central Library in partnership with local community organisations and Sutton Council, the event highlights the enduring presence of Indian classical music in London's multicultural arts landscape and offers audiences an opportunity to experience live Hindustani classical performance at a community-focused cultural festival.

Artists:

• Hanif Khan – Tabla
• Ilesh Patel – Sitar