Sacred Pathways: Where Ragas Meet Songlines

Sacred Pathways: Where Ragas Meet Songlines

The Australian Government, in partnership with India’s Ministry of Culture, presents Sacred Pathways: Where Ragas Meet Songlines, a landmark four-city concert tour celebrating the musical and cultural connections between Australia and India.

The collaboration brings together internationally acclaimed Australian First Nations composer, vocalist and didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton with renowned Indian sitar maestro Pandit Shubhendra Rao. Tabla player and percussionist Nishit Gangani joins them, adding a dynamic rhythmic dimension to the performances.

At the heart of the programme are two distinctive instruments: the didgeridoo, deeply rooted in Aboriginal Australian musical traditions, and the sitar, an iconic instrument of Indian classical music. Through original compositions and collaborative performances, the artists create a musical dialogue exploring storytelling, spirituality, cultural identity and the transmission of traditions across generations.

William Barton is a celebrated Kalkadunga First Nations artist whose career includes performances with leading international orchestras. Pandit Shubhendra Rao, a direct disciple of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, carries forward the Maihar Gharana tradition and has established an international career as a performer, composer and educator.

The tour is supported by the Centre for Australia–India Relations, with the University of Sydney and Woodside Energy as major partners. It also serves as a curtain-raiser to the Australian Government’s G’day Namaste festival scheduled for December 2026.

India Tour Schedule

• New Delhi: 14 October 2026 — Purana Qila Amphitheatre

• Bengaluru: 16 October 2026 — National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)

• Chennai: 18 October 2026 — Kalakshetra

• Mumbai: 21 October 2026 — Royal Opera House

The performances offer audiences an opportunity to experience an innovative musical collaboration connecting two ancient cultural traditions through sound, rhythm and shared artistic expression.

Tickets: Available through the official booking platform.