‘SABR’ Live at NMACC: Anirudh Varma’s Vision for a New Classical Sound

In an era where boundaries between genres are increasingly porous, pianist, composer, and producer Anirudh Varma is boldly redefining the landscape of Indian classical music. His ensemble, the Anirudh Varma Collective (AVC), returns to the stage with 'SABR'—a sonic experience that seamlessly fuses the rich traditions of Indian classical music with the vibrancy of global genres like jazz, rock, and fusion.

At its core, 'SABR' is more than a performance; it is a musical philosophy—rooted in patience, discipline, and deep respect for India’s classical heritage, yet unapologetically contemporary in its execution. With a rotating roster of over 150 collaborators spanning India, the United States, and Canada, AVC is emblematic of a new generation of artists unafraid to experiment while staying anchored in tradition.

Speaking about how 'SABR' navigates this complex blend of tradition and innovation, Varma emphasizes the primacy of the raga in his compositional approach.

“Since the collective began,” he explains, “our priority as a group—and for me as a pianist and composer—has been to give the sanctity and the general feeling of the raga top priority. In almost all our compositions, we’re creating an arrangement around the raga and the composition—not the other way around. So it’s not that the composition is being adapted to fit the arrangement.”

Citing ragas like Yaman and Bhimpalasi, he continues, “They bring with them a very specific mood and identity. My first thought is: are we staying within the framework and emotional colour of the raga? Fortunately, I’ve found like-minded artists who share this vision—we’re creating a contemporary version of classical music in a way that neither the raga, the composition, nor the taala is being compromised—hopefully only enhanced.”

Founded just six years ago by New Delhi-based Anirudh Varma, the Collective has already made a significant mark on the independent music scene. With over 600 performances across India, the Maldives, Kuwait, and a nine-city U.S. tour in 2023, AVC is rapidly building a global presence. Their mission is clear: to dismantle the notion that Indian classical music is only for the initiated and instead bring its beauty and complexity to broader, younger audiences.

That wide reach is supported by a carefully curated artistic vision, even as the group collaborates with artists from around the world.

“There’s a particular kind of musician who ends up collaborating with us—or whom we reach out to,” says Varma. “There has to be an instant connection. Everyone who’s part of the community brings an innate quality that aligns with our ethos.”

Even guest artists, he adds, “may be fewer in number, but each of them brings a very specific and aligned vision.”

Recognised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Ministry of Culture, the Collective’s innovative spirit was further validated when they won Best Indie Band of the Year at the 2023 Clef Music Awards for their single Naino Waaleya, a collaboration with Darshan Doshi and Kamran Zafar—both known for their work with Coke Studio.

The upcoming performance at Mumbai’s Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) marks a milestone for the ensemble.

“With 'SABR', our goal was to do two big launch concerts—one in Delhi and one in Mumbai,” Varma shares. “The Delhi one had about 45 musicians playing, because it’s our home ground, and we have a big choir performing there.”

“For the Mumbai launch, we have almost everyone from the core team featured on the album performing. And since Mumbai hasn’t heard us live as an ensemble in almost three years, I couldn’t think of a better place than the fantastic NMACC.”

He adds, “What really drew us to NMACC is the entire team’s disciplined approach to production. Their attention to detail is amazing. They’ve been asking a lot of questions about the album—the look, the production, everything. So I feel like AVC [our collective] and NMACC are really on the same page. We’re working together to make the production sound and look as large-scale, immersive, and detailed as possible for the audience.”

Audiences can expect a stellar lineup at the show, with Anirudh Varma on piano and keyboards, Suyash Gabriel on drums, Shrikant Biswakarma on electric guitar, Madhur Chaudhary on bass, Soumitra Thakur on sitar, Rohan Prasanna on sarod, and Saptak Sharma on tabla. Vocals will be led by Prateek Narsimha, Saptak Chatterjee, Aastha Mandle, Pavithra Chari, Basudhara Roy Munshi, and Suhavi Kalsi—each bringing their distinct voice and musical sensibility to AVC’s immersive soundscape.

'SABR' – Album Launch Concert by the Anirudh Varma Collective will take place at The Studio Theatre, NMACC, Mumbai, on May 10, 2025.