Indian music on the global stage

Indian music, with its history spanning thousands of years, has always been a profound expression of the country’s cultural and spiritual ethos.

- SUNDEEP BHUTORIA

From classical ragas to contemporary Bollywood tracks, it is a rich tapestry of tradition, innovation, and emotion. Over the past century, Indian music has not just flourished within the country but gained popularity on the global stage — influencing and being influenced by other musical traditions.

In a recent study, music platform Spotify revealed that global consumption of Indian music jumped by more than 2,000% on its platform between 2018 and 2023. In 2023 alone, the global consumption of music from India jumped 85% YoY (year-on-year) and ‘Naatu Naatu’, from S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR, brought home an Oscar. The 2024 Grammy Awards also saw five Indian greats — tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram, and singer Shankar Mahadevan — winning honours.

The distinct vocal styles of classical music to the tune of instruments like the sitar, tabla, mridangam, and veena have laid the foundation for Indian music's journey to the global stage. Apart from Hindustani classical, Indian musical forms also include a wide repertoire of folk and film music, particularly Bollywood, which resonates widely in the international arena.

EARLY FORAYS INTO WESTERN WORLD

One of the pivotal figures who introduced Indian classical music to the Western audience was Pandit Ravi Shankar. His collaborations with musicians from the West, particularly The Beatles' George Harrison, marked a watershed moment. Harrison's fascination with the sitar during the shoot of their film, Help, paved the way for a broader engagement with Indian music.

Ravi Shankar's performances at major music festivals, such as 1967's Monterey Pop Festival and the 1969 Woodstock, captivated international audiences and fostered a deeper appreciation for Indian classical music.