Program Notes
Sun Sundar Sargam sets a beautiful, bespoke text by lyricist Reena Bhansali, about the power of listening through the metaphor of music. The piece was commissioned by BBC Singers specifically for the BBC Ten Pieces, a group of ten pieces that is taught in the UK music curriculum each year. The lyrics are a message to and for the many young people who will encounter this piece over the 2024/25 academic year — and hopefully beyond.
Sargam, while technically similar to solfege in Western classical music, has a much more expressive use — it is often sung in performances to add a kind of texture and virtuosity to the music. In this piece, Western choirs have the chance to experience singing in sargam, and to be in dialogue with the sitar.
If you are interested in the student version (which can be performed by student treble choirs), please see Sun Sundar Sargam (student version).
Recording
Texts
Sun sundar sargam sun
Sapna paane ka sapna bun
Gayegi duniya teri dhun
Sun sundar sargam sun
Chup chup the
To gunj uthe
Listen to the beautiful melody
Weave the dream of achieving your dream
The world will sing your song
Listen to the beautiful melody
If you are quiet,
Then the echoes will arise
Special Performance Requirements
A sitar is required for this performance (a player of an advanced amateur or professional level is required — a student likely will not be able to handle the piece). The sitar player does not need to know how to read Western notation. They will be able to learn the piece aurally.
Please note: If you are considering performing this work and are searching for Hindustani musicians, please contact us. We keep an extensive roster of musicians who are familiar with this work, and we would be happy to connect you.
Audio Guide
Additional Information
Premiere/Performances
Sun Sundar Sargam was commissioned by the BBC Singers, and was premiered by The BBC Singers, conductor Ellie Slorach and sitarist Debipriya Sircar Das on March 8, 2024 on air on BBC Radio 3.