About us

Naad came into existence in 2012, as a result of the persistent drive of music lovers who are dedicated to the sound of Indian Classical Music. Naad in Sanskrit stands for Sound that can transcend boundaries and binds us together. Our group of passionate volunteers resonate with the idea that music listeners embark on an emotional journey, that acts as a medium of interaction between sound and consciousness. We hope to spread this message globally.

From our inception, we have been organizing several concerts annually. To make music more approachable, we occasionally host music workshops by great maestros, where students not only learn the technicalities from the musicians but also have the opportunity to evolve on a personal scale.

In the past, we had the privilege to host Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Nayan Ghosh, Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Shujaat Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez and many more musical legends and we hope to continue doing so under the banner of Stichting Naad.

Our passion and commitment to preserving and creating opportunities for everyone to experience Indian music remain as strong as ever. We’re honoured to share a humbling and proud moment for our community.
 
Darshan Kumari, the founder of NAAD and a long-standing figure in the Indian music scene, has been recognized as one of Amsterdam’s trailblazers as part of the city’s 750th anniversary celebrations. Her decades of dedication to promoting Indian classical music in the Netherlands are now commemorated with a group portrait on display at the Amsterdam Museum.
 
This powerful portrait, featuring a sitar as a symbol of her journey, is part of a new series by acclaimed visual artist Raquel van Haver. Known for her bold, large-scale works, van Haver’s latest collection highlights contemporary changemakers shaping Amsterdam’s future. Each piece includes a brief biography, offering deeper insight into the lives and impact of these remarkable individuals.
This recognition is a meaningful reflection of Amsterdam’s growing celebration of cultural diversity and the important role Indian classical music continues to play in the city’s evolving artistic landscape.