GemArts Masala Festival: The Mohan Brothers, Pt Sanju Sahai and Jasdeep Singh
Electrifying. Astonishing. A landmark Indian Classical event.
GemArts’ Masala Festival returns for its 10th anniversary with an extraordinary evening of Indian classical music.
Experience the brilliance of The Mohan Brothers – Lakshay Mohan (sitar) and Aayush Mohan (sarod), among the most exciting and sought-after artists on the global stage. Known for electrifying performances and astonishing musical chemistry, they’ve wowed audiences worldwide. Now they make their first ever appearance in the region, exclusively for GemArts Masala Festival.
Joining them is Pt. Sanju Sahai, a sixth-generation tabla master whose dazzling virtuosity and artistry have established him as a leading musician of his generation. A regular collaborator with India’s greatest maestros, he’s performed at iconic venues and festivals worldwide, including appearances at GemArts’ Riverside Ragas. He’s the only tabla player to have played BBC Proms three times.
Also featuring Jasdeep Singh, a rising talent breathing new life into the rare Jorī tradition of the Punjab Gharana. With a deep respect for tradition and a bold contemporary edge, he’s bringing this unique percussion style to new audiences.
A celebration of heritage, innovation and a decade of unforgettable Masala Festival performances.
Presented by GemArts and The Glasshouse
Need to know
Venue: Sage Two Theatre Layout
Price: Adult £22.50 // 16 & under £11.30. Family tickets (4 people; combination of adults and children) £45. A limited number of Bar 10 tickets are available for this show, offering ticket buyers aged 18-30 a £10 ticket and bottle of Coors or a soft drink.
Stage Times: Announced closer to show time.
Age: Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
About the musicians
The Mohan Brothers - Lakshay Mohan and Aayush Mohan
The Mohan Brothers – Lakshay Mohan and Aayush Mohan are amongst the finest exponents of Sitar and Sarod on the global music scene. They’re the first Indians to be invited to perform at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. They’ve performed across the globe at various prestigious venues and festivals. These include the Royal Festival Hall London, Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Berklee College of Music, Boston, Symphony Space, New York, Learnquest Music Conference, Boston, Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, Central Conservatory of Music, China to name just a few.
Pandit Sanju Sahai
Pt. Sanju Sahai’s a highly acclaimed, internationally sought-after performer and 6th generation tabla artist of the Benares lineage. He’s a disciple of the illustrious Pt. Sharada Sahai who’s known for his virtuosity and captivating spontaneity.
He’s performed in over 40 countries accompanying legendary artists like Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Anoushka Shankar. His performances have been at major events and venues including GemArts’ Riverside Ragas at the Glasshouse, the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House. Pt. Sanju Sahai has also performed for Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.
Alongside touring, he is dedicated to education, leading workshops worldwide and teaching at SOAS, University of London for over 30 years.
Jasdeep Singh
Jasdeep Singh is a young musician dedicated to preserving and advancing the rare Jorī tradition of the Punjab Gharana. Trained under esteemed maestros including Ustad Sukhwinder Singh ‘Pinky’ and Pandit Yogesh Samsi, Jasdeep has performed extensively around the world, with a particular focus on reviving the traditional atta-vali Jorī and presenting it in both classical and contemporary contexts.
About GemArts Masala Festival
GemArts’ award-winning Masala Festival returns from 13th – 19th July for its 10th Anniversary, bringing a vibrant mix and blend of the finest South Asian arts and culture to the North East. Enjoy an incredible programme of performances, exhibitions, events, workshops, talks, pop-ups, and of course, delicious Indian food in venues, places and spaces across the region. Don’t miss this special milestone year!
For the full Masala Festival 2026 programme, visit: www.gemarts.org
