Sitar player, composer and producer Anoushka Shankar is to host a 3-part show for BBC Radio 3 about Indian Classical Music. “Journeying through Hindustani and Carnatic classical forms from their historical roots to the present-day, we look at what shaped this music and dive into their influence on music of the world.”
In Episode one (which aired on 8th May) she explains what ‘classical’ means in the context of Indian classical music and explores the music of north India, or ‘Hindustani classical music’, and how it differs from its southern or ‘Carnatic’ counterpart. She helps us to understand the importance of raga (melody) and taal (rhythmic cycles) in the music, and the role her father, Ravi Shankar, had in creating the forms we know today.
The series offers a great springboard for those that are maybe new to the music or want to dive deeper. The short extracts offer both a taster and demonstrate the qualities she discusses. In series one alone there are 22 reference tracks, some of which I’ve included in a Spotify Playlist below.
Each episode can be streamed via the BBC Sounds App for 30 days post airing. Episode 1 aired on 8th May. Episode 2 airs this Sunday 15th May and Episode 3 on 22nd May, both at 11pm (BST).
BBC Sounds Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001707z