A Sacred Journey in Sound

According to the ancient sages of India, music was not merely an art but a divine gift, descending like a river of sound from higher realms of consciousness. From the earliest times, the twin streams of Vedic and Gandharva music were nurtured in the quiet hermitages of saints and seers, where melody became meditation and rhythm a pathway to prayer. In those forest sanctuaries, sound itself was worship, and every note carried the fragrance of devotion.

This special performance is dedicated to that timeless lineage, weaving together the depth of Indian classical tradition with the heartfelt simplicity of devotional song. Sarita McHarg from the NAAD Academy of Sound and Music will guide listeners through a luminous selection of Indian bhajans and classical ragas, her sitar singing with strings that shimmer like starlight upon water. She is joined by Saby Bhattacharya on sarod, whose deep, resonant tones unfold like warm earth after rain, and Manmit Singh on tabla, whose rhythms pulse like the living heartbeat of creation.

Together, their music becomes both journey and sanctuary - an invitation to travel inward through sound. Lovers of Indian music will delight in the familiar contours of raga and tala, while those who arrive simply in curiosity may discover something unexpected: a quiet joy, a gentle uplift, a sense of stillness awakened by melody.

This is more than a concert; it is an offering. An evening where devotion and artistry meet, where ancient wisdom speaks through vibration, and where listeners are reminded that music, at its purest, is a bridge between the human soul and the infinite.

-= Evening Flow =-

6.30pm - Complimentary chai is served

7.00pm - 8.15pm - Sacred Journey in Sound beings

-= Tickets =-

Tickets: $40 + booking fee ($45 at the door).

* Limited Spaces - please book early to ensure your place.

-= About the Artists =-
Sarita McHarg - Sitar & Voice
Rooted in centuries-old Indian folk culture, Sarita McHarg brings a rare blend of classical depth and contemporary expression to the world of music. A devoted sitarist and vocalist, her artistry is shaped by bhakti — music as a form of prayer. She has received several prestigious honours, including recognition as an All India Radio Artist, a Talent Award from Vikram University (India), and awards from the State Government of Madhya Pradesh for her contribution to Malwa folk music.
Over a musical journey spanning more than thirty-five years, Sarita has become widely known for her spiritually infused, heart-stirring style, her strong command of classical ragas, and her gift for drawing audiences into the living fabric of a composition. Whether performing at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival or the Sydney Fringe Festival, the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory or the sacred Mahakal Temple in India, she moves effortlessly between tradition and innovation. Dedicated to sharing spiritual folk music with new generations, Sarita has performed and taught at leading institutions including the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and the University of Indore.

Saby Bhattacharya - Sarod
Saby Bhattacharya is an exponent of the 19 string North Indian classical instrument known as the sarod. Starting with classical vocal music training from the age of 5 he received advanced musical training in his home town of Varanasi, an ancient seat of Indian Classical Music and Dance, before receiving training on sarod from legendary sarod maestro Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in New Delhi. He has further enhanced his musical training by receiving ongoing guidance from sitar maestros Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and Pandit Sugato Nag.
He is the author of the only book on playing this difficult instrument, and has pioneered collaboration with the wider Australian musical fraternity, including playing the first ever Concerto for Sarod with the Preston Symphony Orchestra. He is also the current President of the Federation of Indian Music and Dance (an apex body of Indian classical music schools) as well as Artistic Director of the Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society. He is translating books and videos on Indian Classical Music into English for the benefit of a global audience and publishes them on his Youtube Channel and website sarod.com.au. His debut work as Composer for the Play "The Wrong Gods" coproduced by Melbourne Theatre Company and Belvoir Theatre, Sydney was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award in 2025.
He is holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and an MBA from Deakin University.

Manmit Singh - Tabla
Manmit Singh is a sensitive and accomplished tabla artist whose playing combines technical mastery with deep musical intuition. Trained in the Hindustani classical tradition, he is known for his finely balanced accompaniment, shaping each raga with rhythmic clarity, warmth, and subtlety. His approach to rhythm allows melody and devotion to unfold naturally, creating a seamless dialogue between percussion and string.
With a strong grounding in classical tala systems and years of performance experience, Manmit brings both precision and poetry to the ensemble. His tabla becomes more than a timekeeper — it becomes the pulse of the music itself, guiding each phrase and breathing life into every composition with grace and restraint.

-= Location =-

Held @ The Open Space
11 Acacia Pl, Abbotsford VIC 3067

Paid parking is available in the public car park at Acacia Place, and across Victoria Street in Victoria Gardens shopping complex. Free parking in Harrison court and surrounds. We are on the lower ground level of Acacia Place.

Disabled access: If you park within the paid parking station off Acacia Place you will be on the same level as our studio. If you enter from Victoria Street level, a lift is available at the top of the first set of steps leading down to the river.

* Please take a moment to select your event thoughtfully, as we are unable to provide refunds. However, all tickets are transferable to the person(s) of your choice. The only time we can make an exception to our no-refund policy is if the event is sold out and we're able to help find a new home for your tickets. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.