Nine Lives: Sacred music from Modern India, Dalrymple ki Duniya Options

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At the Barbican, London.

Writer and historian William Dalrymple’s latest book Nine Lives is subtitled In search of the sacred in modern India. This special concert, curated by the author, brings together music and readings to offer a unique insight into some of the fascinating spiritual and musical traditions that still thrive in the subcontinent despite huge social and economic change.

Featuring the Bauls of Bengal - a group of itinerant mystic minstrels whose beliefs draw on Vaishnavite Hindu and Sufi Muslim thought - and the Shah Jo Raag Fakirs, who sing at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai in Sindh. Susheela Raman offers insight into the Thevaram hymns of Tamil Nadu, and there will also be Theyyam dance from Kerala.