Kirtan is Hindu devotional chanting of the names of God. It is a spiritual practice that will open your heart and quiet your mind. Krishna Das is the master of kirtan who's heart songs open the channels to god...

Krishna Das chants Sri Ram

Niladri Kumar - Life In Water (Raga Gaud Malhar)

India's classical music is deeply bound to the country's ancient mystical traditions. This unique Rough Guide brings together the greatest names in Indian Classical music, performing some of the most beautiful ragas of India’s classical legacy. Enjoy the musical artistry of legendary performers such as Shivkumar Sharma, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain and Ravi Shankar.

For more information, visit www.worldmusic.net/indianclassical

THE ROUGH GUIDE TO INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

India's classical music is deeply bound to the country's mystical ancient traditions. Stretching back  through time to the Vedic period musical historians encounter the Rigveda, an ancient collection of Sanskrit hymns, and the Sama Veda, a text which begins to discuss the origin of seven shruti (notes) from the sounds of nature. The practice of combining tones in certain sequences and the notation system that was developed during this era is connected to the development of the Indian classical raga form. 'Raga' literally translates as a 'hue' of colour and is a musical method of constructing melody through prescribed conventions. Ragas are linked to different moods and times of the day. Amjad Ali Khan's ‘Raga Chhaya Nat’ is in the Hindustani (North Indian) chhayanat mode and illuminates his crystalline prowess on the sarod, a stringed lute that is played with a plectrum. Uppalapu Srinivas' song 'Sankari Sankuru' is played on his mandolin in saveri raga, which is said to bring about the mood of pity and was originally composed by one of Carnatic (South Indian) music’s greatest figures Syama Sastri (1762-1827). 

Indian Classical Legends Shivkumar Sharma, Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Brij Bhushan Kabra are heard delicately delivering a Hindustani bhairav raga on ‘Ahir Bhairav’. This raga is related to Sikh tradition from northern India and appears in the Guru Granth Sahib (the central religious text of Sikhism). Ravi Shankar’s radiant sitar shines bright on the fast-paced track ‘Devgiri Bilawal Dhun’. Shankar’s name and ascendant international career is now synonymous with Indian classical music. Widely regarded as a musical sage or pandit, his definition of raga touched upon its vast and complex nature, describing it as a ‘scientific, precise, subtle and aesthetic melodic form’. Another sitar scholar, Vilayat Khan is heard on ‘Dhun Punjabi Ang’. The Khan musical lineage traces all the way back to the court musicians of the Mughal Empire.

Father and son duo Allah Rakha and Zakir Hussain enter into percussive playoff on the live track ‘Ek Taal’. Tabla virtuouso Zakir Hussain remains grounded by the musical discipline and natural flair he inherited from his father who he regarded as ‘a spirit who was created to work for music by God’. Carnatic vocalist Dr M. Balamuralikrishna’s marvellously melodic instrument sparkles on ‘Sadhathava Pada’. His formidable range and versatile tone mark him out as a legendary singer. He is also credited with popularising the jugulbandi concept in Indian classical music – when two soloists of equal skill perform together. Riverboat Records artist Jyotsna Srikanth contributes ‘Annapoorne’, a work crafted by the famous Carnatic composer, Muttuswami Dikshitar. The subject matter concerns Annapoorne, the Hindu goddess of nourishment. The raga used is sama, one that denotes peace.

Uncover the mystery and beauty of India’s verdant classical tradition on this excellent introduction to one of the world’s most valuable musical repertoires. 

Jyotsna Srikanth: Annapoorne (taken from The Rough Guide To Indian Classical Music)

Based on Raag Megh....this track is bound to send you on a journey of bliss and calm.

The Flute Breathes:
Composed and arranged: Rajeev Mahavir
Programming: Shivam Bagchi
Flute: Rakesh Chaurasia
Vocals: Shashika Mooruth
Sound engineer: Anand Dabre
Mix and Mastering: Devindar Koshyari

THE ALBUM: KRISHNA, THE FLUTE PLAYER
Produced by URJA MUSIC

The album is intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It can be used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in your home or other environments.

Nine different tracks composed and arranged by Rajeev Mahavir and Shashika Mooruth.

The album includes both electronic forms and acoustic forms, featuring instruments such as flutes, piano, acoustic guitar and a wide variety of non-western acoustic instruments such as the bamboo flute, sarangi, bulbul tarang and batajon.

And off course it is all tuned up with vocals by Shashika Mooruth. Her voice weaves in and out of the sound of different instruments and dives deep into your soul.

Krishna, The Flute Player

The Flute Breathes

The Flute Breathes (Shashika Mooruth feat Rakesh Chaurasia)

Classical Indian - Raga Shudh Sarang

Krishna Das - 4AM Hanuman Chalisa (Kirtan Wallah album)

Bangles

A string of couplets about eyes and love by Kabir. Threaded together by Bindhumalini. This is a song I love jamming with various musicians. Dont get pained if u find too many versions of the same. Each will come with its own beauty and sponteinity

Bangles

nirajchag