London to host inaugural Dakshin festival celebrating Carnatic music
London is set to host the inaugural edition of Dakshin – An Ode to Margazhi, a new four-day festival dedicated to Carnatic music, bringing leading South Indian classical musicians to venues across the capital.
Presented by Laughing Water Entertainment, with artists curated by Kalanation, the festival takes inspiration from Chennai’s renowned Margazhi music season, a cultural tradition that draws together musicians, students and audiences through a shared appreciation of South Indian classical music.
Concerts will take place at St John’s Hyde Park and St Pancras Church, Euston, featuring performances from artists including Dr L. Subramaniam, Ambi Subramaniam, T. M. Krishna, Shashank Subramanyam, Abhishek Raghuram and Sooryagayathri, alongside accompanying musicians.
In addition to the concert programme, the festival will include talks, workshops and discussion sessions at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (The Bhavan), providing opportunities for learning, artistic exchange and community engagement among musicians, students and enthusiasts.
Organisers say the event is intended to establish an annual platform for Carnatic music in the UK while supporting emerging talent and strengthening cultural ties between India and the United Kingdom. The festival also plans to introduce an annual award recognising a UK-based musician’s contribution to Carnatic music.
Speaking about the initiative, Sunil Kumar Ramachandra, Director of Laughing Water Entertainment, said: “Margazhi holds a special place in South India’s cultural identity, bringing together generations through music. With Dakshin, we hope to recreate that spirit in London and establish a meaningful annual platform that celebrates exceptional artistry, nurtures young talent and strengthens the Carnatic music community in the UK. Our vision is to build something that extends beyond the performances and leaves a lasting cultural legacy.”
The concert programme will feature a violin performance led by Dr L. Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam, a vocal recital by T. M. Krishna, performances by flautist Shashank Subramanyam and vocalist Abhishek Raghuram, and a closing vocal concert by Sooryagayathri.
