Indian Music

Among the boldest lines in Hindi film songs from a landmark epic where an imperial courtesan, who has already dared the monarch with her declaration of loving without fear, goes on to question curbs on women — remember the bewitchingly defiant Madhubala ask “Parda nahi jab koi Khuda se, bandon se parda karna kya?” It comes from no radical revolutionary …

In 1963, when Mubarak Begum Shaikh’s soulful voice urged listeners “Mujhko apne gale laga lo…” few would have been able to resist the urge to hug their beloved. The famous duet between Mubarak Begum and the late Mohammed Rafi has enthralled music afficionados even five decades after it hit the Indian musical charts. Years later, in 2008 she gave a …

In his less-than-a decade long career, 28 year-old Arijit Singh is already considered to be the voice of his generation. His success is a result of his long-drawn struggle. When he joined the music scene, the industry was undergoing a lean phase and though there were many big names, they weren’t getting good work. He started off as a 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 …