South Asian Arts-uk is honoured to present a rare and exclusive opportunity for advanced students to engage in intimate one-to-one training sessions with internationally acclaimed sitar maestro Shakir Khan, a leading exponent of the Etawah Gharana and a torchbearer of one of the most revered lineages in Hindustani classical music.
Dates: Wednesday 22 July – Saturday 26 July
Location: Sikh Centre, 192 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4HZ
Duration: 1 hour per session
Availability: Limited to 5 sessions per day
Eligibility: Advanced students only
These carefully structured hour-long sessions offer direct access to the depth, nuance, and refinement of a living tradition passed down through generations.
With only 5 sessions available each day, this is an exceptionally limited opportunity for focused mentorship with a master musician whose artistry is rooted in discipline, aesthetics, and the profound expressive language of rāga.
In the spirit of the Guru–Shishya Parampara, these sessions go beyond conventional teaching. They create a space for dialogue, observation, correction, and inspiration—where music is not only taught, but transmitted through close guidance and shared understanding.
Each session is tailored to the individual student's level and artistic journey, offering deeply personalised feedback and direction. This is an opportunity to step outside the limitations of group learning and engage in meaningful musical refinement at a higher level.
Students may explore:
• Advanced sitar technique and tonal development
• Rāga interpretation and melodic expansion
• Improvisational structure and creative development
• Performance readiness and stage presentation
• Aesthetic sensitivity and musical expression
• Practice methodology and long-term artistic growth
These sessions allow time for reflection, demonstration, and detailed artistic discussion—supporting both technical precision and deeper musical awareness.
Shakir Khan represents a distinguished lineage of the Etawah Gharana, carrying forward the musical legacy of his family and gurus with integrity and innovation. His approach combines rigorous classical training with a refined understanding of contemporary performance practice, making these sessions invaluable for serious students of Indian classical music.
Participants will benefit not only from technical instruction, but also from insight into the philosophy, discipline, and aesthetic values that underpin the tradition.
These sessions are intended for advanced and committed students who are actively pursuing Indian classical music and are ready to engage deeply with their practice.
Ideal participants are those who:
• Have a solid grounding in rāga-based music
• Are preparing for performance or examination
• Wish to refine their technique and musical expression
• Are seeking mentorship from a senior artist
• Value discipline, feedback, and artistic growth
Due to extremely limited availability, sessions will be allocated carefully based on suitability and scheduling.
Students wishing to be considered are invited to complete the registration form: https://forms.office.com/e/viV53K0Yhk
Opportunities to learn in such an intimate setting with a master of this calibre are exceptionally rare.
These sessions offer more than instruction—they offer direct transmission of tradition, refinement of artistic voice, and a deeper connection to the living world of Indian classical music.
For further information, please contact the SAA-uk t
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