Indian Music

He doesn’t look for quiet corners, neither does he force himself to sit near a flowing river, and he definitely doesn’t need the pitter-patter of raindrops over his flat, to feel inspired. Punjabi music industry’s popular lyricist Jaani finds his words in the hustle-bustle of life. This young fellow from Gidderbaha, Punjab has given songs like Paani, Ek Taara, Jaguar, …

Sarod maestro Brij Narayan opines discipline is the common factor that unites all classical arts A sarod is what accompanies classical artiste Brij Narayan on his travels within the country and abroad. On a brief stopover in the city on the invite of the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademy, the maestro, who took up music following in the footsteps of his …

A fortnight ago, when Delhi was abuzz with much activity following the Jawaharlal Nehru University fiasco, a small number of people were quietly trying to bring different communities together through Jashn-e-Rekhta. The Urdu festival, in its second edition at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, was organised for those who knew Urdu, wanted to know Urdu, loved it or …

Folk singer Malini Awasthi is the recipient of Padma Shri 2016 and the award has made her happy not only for the recognition of her art but also for the genre she dabbles in. “I have long felt the pain as folk music does not get recognised as much as our other traditional art forms. The award means that the …

To describe him in a few lines or sentences is always an unlikely possibility, so most of the times his description settles with the word ‘sufi’! Gurdas Maan whose on-stage energy gives any new Punjabi singer’s stamina a run for money, can still hold a live audience captive for hours. He talks measured, taking small peaceful unheard breaths, as he …

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, who has enthralled audiences all across the globe with his mellifluous music, is concerned that people are today more interested in fusion than pure classical music. “Today people are more interested to see collaborations. Why are people more interested in fusion, what is the reason and why is it happening? It is a very big …

Hindustani classical vocalist Jai Thirath Mevandi belongs to the land that has given gems like Pt Sawai Gandharva and Pt Bhimsen Joshi. Following his mother who hummed devotional songs while doing household chores, Jai Thirath took a liking to music right from his childhood. He started learning classical music under Pt Arjunsa Nakod at the age of 14. Inspired by …

Hands in the air, mobile phones, camera, and action! As Pakistan-based folk musician, Arif Lohar, arrived at Paara, a night club in Chandigarh, to perform, the audience that kept waiting for three hours pulled their Smartphones out and clicked selfies and videos with Arif in the backdrop! What followed later was a Friday night drunk on the beats of dhol …

Internationally acclaimed sitarist Anoushka Shankar says Indian classical music has a strong following abroad, but it’s “such a shame” that the genre’s popularity hasn’t translated in the country of its origin. The daughter of late sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar earned her fifth Grammy nomination this week for her album “Home”, which reaffirms Indian classical music’s hold in the West. …

A heady mix of rustic and contemporary notes and global rhythms — Rajasthan folk festival encourages and promotes people’s music Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival) is different. It is music from dawn to midnight and beyond. It coincides with Sharad purnima — the brightest full moon each year. From finding one’s way in the dark before dawn, to get …