India- the land of music

THE RICH HERITAGE

INDIAN MUSIC

Indian classical music is one of the oldest & richest music in the  world. It is considered as the most sacred tradition in India & followed as a religion rather than an art. India had produced some of the greatest vocal & instrumental artists in the world. these music maestros had placed the name of India on the top of the world of music.

In instrumental music field the most famous artistes produced by India are listed as under:

	Pandit Ravi Shankar was born in Varanasi in 1920. He was one of the first to successfully popularize classical Indian music in the western world. He has worked with many musical greats. He has composed the music for the Satyajit Ray's Apu trilogy films. He has been honored with the Bharat Ratna (India's highest honor), Magsaysay Award and two Grammy awards.
	Ustad Ali Akbar Khan was born in East Bengal (now Bangladesh) in 1922. He is a sarod player of international repute and has established the Ali Akbar College of Music in California. He has composed music for Satyajit Ray's Devi and Tapan Sinha's Khudita Pashan. He has been nominated five times for a Grammy Award.

Ustad allarakkha Khan &Ustad Zakir Hussain are the father son duo who have popularized the Indian traditional instrument Tabla in the world. Both are awardees of one of the greatest honor of India " the Padma Bhushan". Also  they have bagged several international awards. Ustad Zakir Hussain is today considered as the most glamorous face of the Indian classical  music. He had given some exceptional performances throughout the world & played along with some of the world's greatest musicians.

Pandit Kishan Maharaj is another living legend of tabla. He belongs to famous "Banaras Gharana".He have been honored by one of the greatest award of India "Padma-Vibhushan".He had given music in several famous Hindi and other language films.

Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia is one of the most famous flag holder of Indian classical instrumental. He  is one of the greatest flute player in  the world. He had received several awards at national & international  level.he alongwith Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma had created some of the most melodious songs in films. He had performed with of the greatest Indian & international artistes.

Ustad Amzad Ali Khan is the great Sarod player from "Jaipur Gharana". HE had received "Padma-Vibhushan" for his exemplary achievements & efforts in popularizing Indian music in the world. He is one of the most sought after personalities in the world of Indian music. his sons Aman Ali Bangash & Ayan Ali Bangash are also sarod players & have performed in the most parts of the world.

Ustad Bismillah Khan is one of the oldest living legend of classical music in India. He belongs to "Banaras Gharana". He had placed traditional Banarasi musical instrument "Shehnai" on the map of the world. His famous "Silver Shehnai" which he plays only on Muharram (the Islamic religious day) is very famous in India. He had been honored by the highest honor of India "Bhatrat-Ratna" for his contribution to music.

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma is famous Santoor player of India. He is very popular artiste throughout the world. HE had received several national & international awards and titles for his contribution to music.

Greatest Indian Vocal Artistes

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is the greatest living legend of Indian vocal music. He belongs to Pune. He had popularized Indian music across the world. He had received highest honor of India "Bharat Ratna" for his invaluable contribution to Indian music. HE had also won several international awards & fames. Some of the most popular vocal artistes India today are his disciples.

Pandit Jasraj is another great vocal artiste of India who had contributed greatly to music. He had claimed several awards and honors throughout the world.

Girija Devi is another artiste of "Banaras Gharana" who is world-renowned for her performances. She is one of the most acclaimed woman artiste in India. She had performed with several great artistes.