In Diwan Singh, an unsung instrument of Indian classical music found an unsung champion

Singh went to Delhi to become a domestic worker but somehow became a sought-after tanpuriya. He is among the last few who haven’t abandoned the manual tanpura.

Malini Nair

· Sep 03, 2023 · 11:30 am

Before Indian classical music loses its diversity, an online project is rushing to archive it

A sweeping, hugely ambitious online project is documenting traditional knowledge systems, pedagogy, compositions and commentaries.

Malini Nair

· Jul 19, 2023 · 11:30 am

‘I’m a small man but my music is huge’: Wasifuddin Dagar on the AR Rahman plagiarism row

The ustad has accused ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ of copying a family composition. The film’s producers claim their inspiration was a traditional song. Who is right?

Malini Nair

· Jun 07, 2023 · 11:40 am

Why is Punjab, a land of sublime classical music, known only for bhangra?

A robust classical music system flourished in Punjab until socio-religious movements and colonists decided to cleanse it.

Malini Nair

· May 06, 2023 · 11:30 am

In Kumar Gandharva’s bandishes, hear the music of the common man

Hindustani khayal had become clichéd through pedantic repetition of ideas. Kumar Gandharva gave it a fresh-faced vitality.

Malini Nair

· Apr 08, 2023 · 11:30 am

A strain of music that has flourished in India for centuries is being silenced by communalism

Muslim jogis, who were once venerated for their singing powers, are being pushed to the margins.

Malini Nair

· Apr 01, 2023 · 11:30 am

The secret ingredient to Bollywood’s funny songs was a unique drum played by a distinctive man

The twang of Zahoor Khan’s bhapang underlined the humour in many Hindi film songs. But it was his traditional ditties that made him famous.

Malini Nair

· Mar 21, 2023 · 11:30 am

Three generations of the brightest Carnatic violinists have trained under this one legend

Avasarala Kanyakumari’s students are all over the Carnatic firmament – playing, composing, collaborating and sometimes doing all these at once.

Malini Nair

· Feb 11, 2023 · 11:30 am

The world of Rajasthani folk music is shrinking – despite its global fame and success

In the absence of local patronage, Manganiyars and Langas are forgetting the gathas and kathas inhabited by magical, bewitching characters.

Malini Nair

· Dec 14, 2022 · 11:30 am

Allah and Krishna came together in the songs of this long-forgotten Awadhi singer

Aseemun’s repertoire, with its easy mix of folk, ritual, spiritual and pious, bespoke a syncretic tradition that is fast becoming anachronistic in India.

Malini Nair

· Nov 26, 2022 · 11:30 am

Meet the Hindustani violinist who has spawned a rare all-women classical musical lineage

Violinist N Rajam’s life made for a fascinating story even before she formed a quartet with her daughter and granddaughters.

Malini Nair

· Nov 05, 2022 · 11:30 am

Nearly every Carnatic music star today owes a debt of thanks to this youth group in Chennai

The Youth Association for Classical Music collectivised young musicians and encouraged young listenership when Carnatic music had a distinctly grey aura.

Malini Nair

· Oct 15, 2022 · 11:30 am