This album is the first of a six volume set encompassing the complete seventy two Melakartas (musical scales) of the Carnatic music system. There are twelve Chakras (groups) of six Melakartas each. The first two, the Indu and the Netra Chakras are covered here. Most of the songs are in in the Raga Lakshan Geet form - which means that the words of each song also teach the pertinent details of its raga. The compositions are the original creations of Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish and are rendered in the North Indian classical style of singing utilizing North Indian talas (rhythm cycles). Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish has brought his over 60 years of active musical experience - as a singer, composer, author, song writer, music director, and multi-instrumentalist, to bear upon this musical creation superimposing the North Indian style of singing and composing to the Carnatic ragas. As far as we know, such a work has never before been attempted by a North Indian composer. Such beautiful compositions and style breathes new life into both the Northern and the Southern music traditions. Ashwin Batish graces this project with his magical touch. With his multi-instrumental skills, he adds the perfect arrangements and orchestration to his father's compositions. About S.D. Batish ----- Poetic Name: Rasik Born: December 14, 1914 in Patiala, India Music Education: Studied singing from Guru Chandan Ram Charan of Patiala Speciality: Vocalist, Composer, Author, Teacher Instruments Expertise: Sitar, Tabla, Dilrubha, Vichitra Veena, Violin, Harmonium Radio: Outstanding level A artist of All India Radio since 1936. Labels released under His Masters Voice, EMI, India Topic Records, London, England Batish Records, Santa Cruz, California, U.S.A. Some of his hit songs ....... Khamosh Nigaahen from the film Daasi Pagadi Sambhaal Jattaa from the film Gowaandhi Ishk Ishk Qawaali from the film Barsaat Ki Ek Raat Aankhen Keha Gai Dil Ki Baat from the film Laadli Aae Sajanaa Hamaar from the film Taksaal Pucho Naa Kaise Maine Raina Bitaae from the film Meri Surat Teri Aakhen Aao Hamaare Hotel Me from the film Kundan Daayam Paraa Huaa Tere Dar Par private ghazal by Ghalib Laazim Thaa Ke Dekho private ghazal by Ghalib Manmohan Mana Men from film Kaise Kahoon Best Vocalist Award for the song "Manmohan Mana Men" in 1964 fom Sur Singar Samsad Some outstanding films he scored music for include..... Betaab Bahu Beti Toofan Harjeet Charanon Ki Daasi Tipusultan Kundan Laal Nishaan Amar Keertan Chupke Chupke Chaand Ki Duniyaan Khush Raho Kaise Kahoon Hambhi Kuch Kam Nahin Sazish Zalim Tera Javab Nahin Mukhlawa Hulare India My India, London Thirteen Faces of India, London Letter from Thimpu, London Help by the Beatles - performed on Vichitra Veena, London Guru - Coached Michael York, on Sitar, for this Movie, London Ashwin Batish is an extraordinary sitarist and tabla player. He received training in the North Indian classical tradition from his father S.D. Batish and later created his own unique fusion of Indian classical sitar with pop, rock, jazz, calypso, funk... an example of a few hybrids he excells at. He is famous for such songs as the Bombay Boogie, Raga Rock, Raga Jazz, Casbah Shuffle and Sitar Mania. Ashwin is also very well know for being an educator. His series of instructional videos (http://www.batish.com/catalog/vidttr.html) for the sitar, tabla, dilruba, dholak, vichitra veena, harmonium that he has produced with his father Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish have become a very sought after commodity by the Indian music student. Ashwin often gives private and group Indian music lessons at his Santa Cruz, California USA facility and is often called upon by various music festivals and universities to perform his sitar and be a guest lecturer for weekend workshops and seminars on Indian music and ethnopop, raga rock sitar fusion. Ashwin Batish's pioneering effort in worldbeat music called "Sitar Power" has earned him some critical reviews and great respect in the music community. The sitar is ageless in Ashwin's hands. It is souped up for amplification and effects! We hope you get to catch one of Ashwin's electric performances. His music is as dynamic as his stage presence. You can now buy Ashwin's sitar music right here on CDBaby!