URJA Divine Energy 2026 in Dubai

URJA Divine Energy 2026 in Dubai is a three-night festival of Carnatic music, the classical tradition of South India, at the Oud Metha Theatre inside Zabeel Ladies Club from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November. Presented by Soaring Phoenix Events in association with Rajalakshmi Fine Arts, it gives each evening to a different leading vocalist from Chennai’s concert circuit, with the same three accompanists on stage throughout. Urja is the Sanskrit word for energy, and the series is billed as three nights of classical mastery.

The line-up, night by night

Friday 27 November: Sikkil Gurucharan

Sikkil Gurucharan opens the festival. He comes from one of Carnatic music’s best-known families: he is the grandson of Sikkil Kunjumani of the celebrated flautist duo the Sikkil Sisters, and he took his first lessons from his mother before advanced training with Vaigal S. Gnanaskandan, a disciple of the great Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He has won the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar and was named by India Today among 35 game changers under 35. Outside traditional concerts he is known for his collaborations with pianist Anil Srinivasan and for appearing on Miles from India, the John McLaughlin album nominated for a Grammy. The listing describes him as a sought-after vocalist with a pliable voice.

Saturday 28 November: Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna

Kunnakudi M. Balamuralikrishna takes the second night. He is related to the late violin maestro Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, and the Kunnakudi was added to his name to set him apart from the legendary M. Balamuralikrishna. He made his debut at 12 under the Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Trust, has trained for many years with P. S. Narayanaswamy, studied pallavi singing with B. Krishnamurthy and even learned mridangam from Karaikudi Mani. He is an asthana vidwan, or court musician, of the Kanchi Mutt, and the organisers call him an energetic performer with real technical skill. He has toured widely abroad, including Singapore, Australia, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, and has twice been invited to the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana in the United States.

Sunday 29 November: Bharat Sundar

Bharat Sundar closes the festival. Born in Chennai in 1988, he did not come from a family of musicians and trained with P. S. Narayanaswamy and S. Sowmya, among others. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2020 and performed at the Madras Music Academy’s annual concerts in 2024. The listing highlights his emotionally expressive singing, which makes him a fitting final voice for the weekend.

The accompanists

All three concerts share the same supporting trio: H. N. Bhaskar on violin, Vijay Natesan on mridangam and S. Karthick on ghatam. In Carnatic music the violin shadows and answers the singer’s phrases, the mridangam is a double-headed barrel drum that drives the rhythm, and the ghatam is a clay pot played with the fingers and palms, adding a bright, ringing texture. Hearing one ensemble respond to three very different vocalists is a big part of the appeal of coming for more than one night.

A thread running through the weekend

There is a neat connection between the three singers. Balamuralikrishna and Bharat Sundar both trained with P. S. Narayanaswamy, while Gurucharan and Balamuralikrishna have both studied with B. Krishnamurthy. So the festival offers a chance to hear how closely linked teaching lineages produce three distinct voices, from Gurucharan’s flexible, lyrical style to Balamuralikrishna’s energy and Bharat Sundar’s expressive approach.

Concerts like these have a loyal following in Dubai’s South Indian community, and the atmosphere often feels closer to a gathering of friends than a formal recital. If you are new to the form, it is worth knowing that audiences traditionally keep the tala, the rhythmic cycle, with hand gestures, and applause often comes mid-piece after an impressive passage.

The venue: Zabeel Ladies Club

The concerts take place at the Oud Metha Theatre (also spelled Oud Maitha on the listing) inside Zabeel Ladies Club on 2 20 Street, in a central part of Dubai that is easy to reach from most of the city. By car, take Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and exit onto Oud Metha Road (D79), continue onto Sheikh Rashid Road, turn left onto Zabeel Road (D73) and then right onto 2 20 Street. Most taxi drivers know Zabeel Club.

Who it suits

There is no age restriction, so this is a good chance for families to introduce children to classical music in person. It also suits seasoned rasikas who follow the December music season in Chennai, students of Carnatic vocal or percussion, and curious listeners who want to hear the tradition performed live at a high level. If plans change, the ticket platform lets you pass your ticket to another buyer.

For more music and culture, browse our concerts in Dubai, the art and culture guide, or things to do this weekend.