The sour golugu berries/And shark fish and mullet/When I eat the fish you appear in my dreams/My dark and handsome...
Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form originating from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its intricate footwork,...
Hindustani classical music, with its intricate melodies and emotive expressions, has been shaped over centuries by the diverse cultural and regional influences of the Indian subcontinent. At the heart of this musical tradition lies the concept of gharana, or musical lineage, which serves as a repository of knowledge, technique, and...
The plain white tag around the neck of the tanpura says simply: 1890, Miraj, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. Around it,...
Writers whose compositions become the national anthem of their country surely regard this as a supreme honour. But what if...
N Rajam is surprised that you see a quartet of women violinists from across three generations of a family as an inspirational saga of feminist triumph. “Really? Things have changed now, no?” she asks, strong eyebrows raised in mild amusement. You argue back. What about gender discrimination? Male dominance in...
The Nāṭya Śāstra, originally written in Sanskrit (नाट्य शास्त्र) and found in Kannada (ನಾಟ್ಯಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ) and Telugu (నాట్య శాస్త్ర) translations, stands...
Rithvik Raja, among the younger stars of the Carnatic vocal scene, has an astonishing estimate to share. Of the around...
Indian classical music is an ancient and intricate art form that has captivated audiences for centuries. Rooted in a rich cultural heritage, it embodies the essence of tradition, spirituality, and artistic expression. At the core of this musical tradition lies the Guru-Shishya Parampara, a revered system of mentorship and apprenticeship...
Indian folk music is a treasure trove of melodies, rhythms, and narratives that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of the...
Indian classical vocal music is a tapestry of intricate melodies and soul-stirring rhythms that have mesmerised audiences for centuries. At...
Even in a music community where young masters and child prodigies are now the norm, Ramana Balachandhran is a rarity. Something of a musical polymath, he chose to excel in the toughest and least popular of instruments – the veena. If you had dropped in at any of Ramana’s concerts...