1. “Karnataka Sangeeta” 11:14 T. Viswanathan
An example of karnataka sangeeta (Carnatic music), or classical (art) music from Southern India. Note the use of the drone, here played by an electronic sruti box. Like all Indian classical music this is based on a particular raga (a complex, evocative, melodic mode) and a rhythmic cycle called tala.
2. “Raga Mishra Ghara” 8:59 Ravi Shankar
This is North Indian classical music performed by world-renowned sitar player Ravi Shankar. Note the presence again of the drone. This music is also based on raga and tala, but tends to feature even more improvisation than karnataka sangeeta.
3. “Chabi Kho Jaye” 7:07 Lata Mangeshkar & Shailendra Singh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlInS7agcfc
1973 filmi sangeet sung by the most recorded woman in the world, Lata Mangeshka,r in duet with Shailendra Singh from the film, “Bobby.” The film and the song were hits and the song is quite racy, with lyrics about a couple locked in a room with a lost key. Note the girlish quality of Mangeshkar’s voice and use of western instruments and harmonies. No drone is used.
4. “Tere Chehre Se Nazar Nahin” 4:53 Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7YOPrsX0gE
“From Your Face.” A love song from the 1976 film Kabhi Kahbi. Again, note the girlish quality of Mangeskar’s voice and the western instruments (violins, flute, electric bass, among others) and harmony.
5. “In Aankhon Ki Masti” 5:43 Asha Bhosle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLDb5xk556E
“Intoxicating Eyes.” This is Lata Mangeshkar’s sister, Asha Bhosle. How does her vocal timbre compare to that of her sister? This song was released in the 1981 film Umrao Jaan. Note, however, that in comparison to the other pieces, this example draws more heavily on traditional Indian classical music in its use of tabla, sarangi, sitar, and the suggestion of a drone. Western influence is there too though, for example, in the use of the harp. The lyrics are in Ghazal poetic form. 6. “ All izz Well” composed by Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire; sung by: Sonu Nigam and Shaan, and Swanan Kirkire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFjmYcwjgV8
From the soundtrack of 2009’s “Three Idiots,” which is the highest grossing Bollywood film of all time. Can you discuss the western influence in the sounds? What about the images in the video? What about this sounds Indian?