The Program

A Solo Sitar Recital, Rooted in Tradition

The recital follows the classical Hindustani format: a meditative, unmetered alap that unfolds the raga's character, moving through jor into rhythmic interplay with tabla, and building to a fast, virtuosic jhala. Ragas are chosen to suit the season, time of day, and occasion — in the tradition Vatsal was trained in.

Programs typically run 60–90 minutes, with or without intermission, and can be adapted to a presenter's format — a full evening recital, a shorter matinee, or a lecture-recital with commentary for audiences new to the tradition.

Solo sitar with tabla accompaniment

Alap · Jor · Jhala — the classical Hindustani form

Imdadkhani gharana · gayaki ang (vocal-style) sitar

Program length and format adaptable to your series

Optional lecture-recital format for new audiences

Recent Recitals

Concert Series & Institutions

Saptak

Ahmedabad, India · September 26, 2026

A recital of Raga Yamani at the 31st Sangeet Sankalp Saptah, presented by Saptak — one of India's foremost institutions for Hindustani classical music.

Chhandayan

New York, NY · July 2026

An intimate solo sitar recital at the Chhandayan Center for Indian Music, Manhattan, with Aditya Pathak on tabla — performed in person and live-streamed worldwide.

View Full Concert History

The Artist

Vatsal Dave

A direct disciple of Padma Bhushan awardee Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee — one of the foremost living exponents of the Imdadkhani gharana and the gayaki style of sitar. Vatsal studied at the Rotterdam World Music Conservatory in Holland and has performed North Indian classical ragas, Sufi devotional music, and world fusion across the US, India and beyond for over 25 years.

He has collaborated with Grammy award-winning musician Art Greenhaw on the world fusion album Lone Star Sitar, is founder of the Saraswati School of Music in Dallas, and author of Sitar 101.

Rotterdam World Music Conservatory Imdadkhani Gharana Lineage Grammy Collaboration 25+ Years Performing US · India · Available Worldwide

Sample Program

Drawn from Recent Recitals

These outlines are what was actually played. They are not a standing commission. A presenter’s evening is usually 60–90 minutes: alap, jor, tabla, and jhala, in the Imdadkhani gayaki style.

Saptak, Ahmedabad

September 26, 2026, Lions Hall. Raga Yamani — an evening raga of the Kalyan thaat, close to Yaman — with Riddhish Vora on tabla, closing with a dhun in Mishra Maand.

Chhandayan, New York

July 26, 2026. Raga Puriya Dhanashree, a twilight sandhi-prakash raga, from vilambit through drut to jhala, then Raga Khamaj. Aditya Pathak on tabla.

Ragas

Ragas from These Recitals

Raga Yamani — evening, Kalyan thaat, close to Yaman. Saptak, September 26, 2026.

Raga Puriya Dhanashree — twilight sandhi-prakash raga; vilambit, drut, and jhala. Chhandayan, July 26, 2026.

Raga Khamaj — romantic light-classical close to the New York recital.

Raga Bhairavi — a recorded drut gat, separate from the recital sets above.

From a Listener

A Note on a Concert Performance

“It was an extremely enjoyable and classic performance by Vatsal — methodical and appropriately accompanied by a well-trained tabla player. Very powerful performance indeed.”
B.K. Pandit, Concert Performance, May 2026

For Your Planning

Logistics for Presenters

Touring internationally — available for engagements across the US, India and beyond; other regions considered on request.

Tabla accompaniment — Vatsal typically performs with a tabla accompanist; can travel with his own or coordinate with a local artist your venue already works with.

Stage and sound — the technical rider is on the press kit: Stage & Sound Requirements.

Flexible format — a full evening recital, a shorter matinee, or a lecture-recital introducing the tradition to a general audience.

A Hindustani Classical Sitar Recital for Your Series