The Art of Listening: Indian classical raag with Bimal Singh

Experience Indian classical raag through the body, not just the ears. An intimate journey of live music, grounding and embodied listening. Join Artful Yoga Gallery for an intimate listening experience exploring the relationship between sound, emotion and the body through the ancient tradition of Indian classical raag. Led by queer South-Asian classical vocalist and performing artist Bimal Singh, this session invites you to experience raag beyond its musical technicalities. Instead, we will explore music as something felt: the subtle changes in breath, sensation, memory, emotion and inner state that can arise when we give ourselves permission to deeply listen. Born into a Punjabi-Sikh household in Melbourne, Bimal is trained in the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana tradition of Hindustani classical music. His practice spans Khyal, Thumri, Bhajan and Ghazal, alongside an exploration of Kathak dance as a form of self-expression and wellbeing. Currently studying Mental Health, Bimal's artistic practice is deeply connected to questions of healing, identity and belonging. His work bridges tradition and contemporary lived experience, creating spaces where music and movement become pathways toward freedom, resilience and self-love. The experience We’ll begin by arriving into the space together through a gentle grounding and embodiment practice, allowing the nervous system to settle and our attention to move inward. Bimal will then offer a brief introduction to raag—its origins, traditions and emotional landscape—before guiding us into a 25–30 minute live exploration of our first raag. Rather than asking “Do I understand this music?”, we invite you to notice: Where do I feel this sound in my body? What emotions arise? What changes in my breath? What memories, images or sensations emerge? Following a short pause for personal reflection, we’ll ground again before experiencing a contrasting second raag, observing how a different musical landscape shifts our internal experience. We’ll close gently through reflection, movement and shared conversation—creating space to notice what changed between the beginning and end of our listening journey. About Bimal Singh Bimal Singh is a queer performing artist and South-Asian classical vocalist born into a Punjabi-Sikh household in Melbourne, Australia. Trained in the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana style, Bimal performs Khyal, Thumri, Bhajan and Ghazal and explores Kathak dance as a form of self-expression and wellness. His practice sits at the meeting point of tradition, queerness, culture, mental health and belonging. Through music and movement, Bimal explores how ancient artistic traditions can remain living, evolving practices—and how they can create spaces for resilience, freedom and self-love. Who is this for? Everyone. You don't need any knowledge of Indian classical music, meditation or raag. In fact, this experience isn't about getting the music “right.” Come curious. Come exactly as you are. Bring a willingness to slow down, listen deeply, and notice what happens when music is allowed to move through the body. Presented by Artful Yoga Gallery — where art meets healing. We are committed to making these offerings accessible to all, please let us know if you would like to attend this event but may financially need extra support. Artful Yoga Gallery is a not-for-profit providing accessible pathways for mental-health support through the arts.