Malhaar Ensemble Brings India-UAE Cultural Legacy to Life at Carnegie Hall, New York

In a proud and poignant moment for both the UAE and India, the Dubai-based Malhaar Ensemble took centre stage at the historic Carnegie Hall on Saturday, July 19, as part of the 6th New York Big Apple Music Festival.

Representing the UAE’s spirit of inclusivity and India’s rich classical heritage, the 30-member ensemble—featuring vocalists, Indian classical musicians, and a children’s choir—delivered a soul-stirring performance titled “A Tune of Harmony – Celebrating UAE’s Unity in Diversity.”

The production seamlessly wove together ancient Indian traditions with the UAE’s multicultural ethos, featuring three thematic segments: Raag Bhairavi-based chants, folk influences from Bengal, and a rousing Sufi Qawwali fusion.

Malhaar shared the prestigious Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage with global powerhouses including the United Nations Singers, Celadon Stars World Orchestra, and the New York International Symphony Orchestra.

The audience included diplomats, cultural ambassadors, and dignitaries from across the world—standing as testament to the event’s theme, “Echoes of Humanity: From Origins to Unity.”

Founded and led by Indian classical vocalist Jogiraj Sikidar, Malhaar began as a passion project—born from a mission to connect the UAE’s vibrant expatriate community with the timeless beauty of Indian music. "What started as a simple idea to bring people together through music has become a bridge between nations," said Sikidar after the performance. “Standing on the Carnegie stage, we weren’t just artists from Dubai—we were cultural storytellers, carrying the shared soul of India and the UAE to the world.”

Sharing the stage was Dubai-based entrepreneur Dr. Somdutta Singh, Founder & CEO of Assiduus Global Inc., who performed alongside her Guru in a moment of profound personal significance. "In the chaos of global business, Malhaar brings me home. To sing on this stage with my teacher was a moment of stillness, of remembering who I truly am," she said. “It was more than music—it was a return to roots.”

The performance concluded to a resounding standing ovation, cementing Malhaar’s place on the world stage—not just as an arts collective, but as a cultural movement born in the UAE, inspired by India, and embraced by the world.

In that moment, under the golden lights of Carnegie Hall, the music of Malhaar didn’t just echo through the auditorium—it carried the heartbeat of two nations, united by history, heritage, and harmony.