This episode is centered around recent releases with Indian music, varying from classic raga to Bollywood song.
To start off, Dutch cello player Saskia Rao de Haas. She has lived in Delhi for 15 years and is well known in the world of raga music in India. We play a selection of raga Bhimpalasi from her album The Indian Cello.
Followed by three tracks from the album The Shrutibox by YouTube sensation Shankar Tucker. He is an American clarinet player who makes popular music with influences from raga, pop, jazz and Bollywood music. He arranges popular songs from Bollywood films for famous Indian singers, or composes his own work.
Following Shankar Tucker, it is singer Ranjana Ghatka’s turn, from London. On her debut album Awakening, she combines elements from North Indian raga music with jazz and contemporary pop. After that, North Indian raga music by famous raga violin player Kala Ramnath, from her Aavartan album. Kala Ramnath is also known as ‘the singing violin’, because she manages to imitate the human singing voice so well in her violin performances.
Then, the singing snares of India’s best slide guitar player, Debashish Bhattacharya from Calcutta, a grand master of North Indian raga.
According to recordings of Madeira, the new album by Debashish Bhattacharya.
Kaushiki Desikan-Chakrabarty
Finally, a song by Indian film composer Shantanu Moitra, with a leading part for the famous Indian singer. She sings about an unrequited love in the Lagi Lagi song.
Title: Raga Bhimpalasi
Performer: Saskia Rao-de Haas
Composer: trad.
Album: The Indian Cello
Label: own record ; year: C. 2012
Title: Ashai Mugam
Performer: Shankar Tucker, Vidya and Vandana Iyer
Composer: Subramaniya Bharathiar Iyer, arranged by Shankar Tucker
Album: The Shrutibox, Vol.2
Label: own record ; year: C. 2012
Title: Thulli Thulliyai
Performer: Shankar Tucker, Vandana Srinivasan
Composer: Shankar Tucker
Album: The Shrutibox, Vol.2
Label: own record ; year: C. 2012
Title: Sapnon Se Bhare Naina
Performer: Shankar Tucker, Rohini Ravada
Composer: Shankar Eshaan, arranged by Shankar Tucker
Album: The Shrutibox, Vol.2
Label: own record ; year: C. 2012
Title: Re Niramohi
Performer: Ranjana Ghatak
Composer: Lalit Kishori
Album: Awakening
Label: own record ; year: C. 2012
Title: Shaat Bhai Champa
Performer: Ranjana Ghatak
Composer: Shalil Chowdhury
Album: Awakening
Label: own record ; year: C. 2012
Title: Raga Malkauns
Performer: Kala Ramnath
Composer: trad.
Album: Aavartan
Label: Kalashree ; year: C. 2012
Title: Jhoom (Raga Kaunsi Bhairav)
Performer: Debashish Bhattacharya
Composer: trad.
Album: Madeira
Label: Tridev Music India TMI CD 001 ; year: C. 2012
Title: Lagi Lagi
Performer: Kaushiki Chakrabarty
Composer: Shantanu Moitra
Album: Coke Studio India Season 2: Episode 7
Label: Coke Studio MTV India ; year: 2012