Track Listing

1. Total Time 68:15)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1274545 in Music
• Released on: 1999-11-20
• Number of discs: 3

Album Description
Soundia

The name conjures up the exotic sounds of India with its rich panoply of musical expression. The Indian subcontinent, home to a unique culture and civilization, has the longest unbroken musical heritage anywhere in the world, that dates some 2500 years. Indian musical tradition is based on aural presentation and listening skills there are no written compositions that the artiste must only reproduce, he or she, is the ultimate composer and the performer all at once. With the absence of rigid written notations, this art is traditionally handed down from teacher (Guru) to pupil (Shiksha) in a unique apprenticeship called the Guru-Shiksha Parampara

Indian music emphasizes mathematically complex melodic and rhythmic patterns, harmonization is not used. The melody is governed by the raga which loosely corresponds to the scale in Western music. Ragas are based on rules which determine the sequence (chalan) of notes - whether sharp ( tivra) or flat (komal), the emphasis which of the notes are prominent or weakened, the microtones or shruti, and the rhythmic patterns called talas in which the artiste confines the exposition of the raga. Other factors are the time of day or the seasons of the year, the performance is being given.

If this sounds daunting do not be concerned just listen. In the following CDs, you have an exciting treasure-trove of musical experience lying in wait. Just turn your mind of and listen to the varied and wonderful tonal patterns the plaintive wail of the sarengi like a lover pining for her beloved, the scintillating sounds of the sitar, the pulsating rhythms of the tabla (drums) or the haunting melodies of the vocal singers. And there are lots more.

Even if you are a neophyte listener of Indian music or an experienced connoisseur well versed in its intricacies this is one CD that you can listen over and over. As your interest develops read the detailed liner notes that explain each track in great detail.

Enjoy !

Asoke Chatterjee, Ph.D.

About the Artist
The performers are famous musicians or singers from India