Good afternoon. I was recently enrolled in a college course called "World Music", and I have come to enjoy the style of India's music traditions. Currently I'm listening to Raga Khamaj performed by Ali Akbar Khan. I was hoping to hear other favorite tunes, if not from India, then those that would fall under the "World Music" category America has created.
I recommend Raga Chandranandan by Ravi Shankar. If you become enthusiastic and wish for more info, contact Steve Tortorici, Music Director at WUWF at steve@wuwf.org. He has an internet broadcast that should still include an interview with Ravi detailing the story of how the above referenced Raga came about. Good stuff.
I recommend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (sarod) , Zakir Husain (tabla) , Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute), Ravi Shankar (sitar), Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Bade Ghulam Ali, Begum Akhtar, Parveen Sulatana, Pandit Jasraj (vocals) edit: also try Shiv Kumar Sharma (santoor) Instrumental http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/hindustani_instrumental/i/ Vocal http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/hindustani_vocal/i/
If you would like to have the decision made for you, how about the classical radio stations? The jugalbandi (duels) are also interesting. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! http://radio.musicindiaonline.com/
Ravi Shankars Sounds of India is also a nice album (listening to it right now) http://www.amazon.com/Sounds-India-Ravi-Shankar/dp/B0000024SZ
I am considering the purchase of a few CDs by Ravi Shankar, but I noticed that many of them have a similar style; that is, they are "The Ravi Shankar Collection", which makes me wonder if there is a full set I could purchase instead. That would be preferable to buying them one at a time. For example: Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! So is it just an aesthetic addition to his albums, or is there really a collection available for purchase? I've tried using a search engine but it is hard to find a definite answer.
You could start with the Essential Ravi Shankar http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Ravi-Shankar/dp/B000AO4NL8
