Afro-Raga
Sitar & Kora | Indian Raga x West African Strings
Afro-Raga is a live project by (sitar) and (kora) exploring the meeting point between two ancient melodic traditions: the Indian raga system and the West African Jali heritage of the kora.
Through improvisation, deep listening, and rhythmic interplay, the sitar and kora create a shared musical language - moving between spacious raga development, lyrical African melodies, and hypnotic groove.
The result is music that feels both ancient and immediate: a living conversation between two melodic worlds.
What it is
- A live dialogue between sitar and kora
- Music built on improvisation and melodic storytelling
- A sound that moves between meditative raga exploration and groove-driven energy
Origins of Afro-Raga
Afro-Raga grew from years of musical exploration by YoYo Sitar across different traditions - from deep study of Indian raga to collaborations with musicians rooted in West African string traditions.
The project explores the natural meeting point between two melodic cultures: the improvisational depth of the raga system and the lyrical storytelling of the kora and Jali tradition.
Rather than blending styles superficially, Afro-Raga allows the two traditions to speak to each other directly through melody, listening, and shared improvisation.
If you would like to learn more about the musical language behind this project, read more about the style in Afro-Raga.
Formats
- Duo - sitar & kora
- Trio - sitar, kora & percussion / tabla
- Festival ensemble - expanded lineup when required
Best for
World music festivals - Cultural events - Listening concerts - Dance-friendly stages
Duration
45 / 60 / 75 minutes (flexible depending on program)
Technical
2-4 line inputs depending on format. Full stage plot and technical rider available on request.
