Going to your first Hindustani classical concert can feel mysterious: people nod, say “wah”, clap at unexpected times, and nobody seems to be reading sheet music. Here’s a quick guide.
Before the performance
You’ll often see:
- Artists tuning tanpuras and instruments on stage – this is part of the ritual and can take a few minutes.
- Brief introductions of raag, taal, and bandish.
During the performance
- The audience is generally quiet, but small appreciative sounds like “wah” or “kya baat hai” are common when a particularly beautiful phrase or clever sam landing happens.
- People do not clap after every phrase. They clap after complete pieces (after a drut bandish or a major section).
- You might see some audience members quietly tapping or clapping the taal.
How to listen actively
Even if you don’t know raag names, you can:
- Notice how the music starts simply and becomes more complex.
- Listen for repeated phrases – these are likely part of the pakad.
- Try to feel the cycle of the taal and the “home” of the sam.
- Observe how the mood shifts over time.
There is no strict dress code in most modern venues, but people often dress semi-formal or in Indian attire. More important is to bring an open ear – the music will take care of the rest.