Music

In the wake of wars, poverty, mass migration and loss, the Greek working class found solace in Hindi cinema and music of the 1950s and early 1960s.

On 15 February, the immortal singer-composer Bappi Lahiri passed away at the age of 69. We remember his contribution to the industry, including hits like Disco Dancer, Jimmy and more.

India’s first bamboo band, Vayala was born on the banks of river Nila to preserve the dying culture of erstwhile princely state Valluvanadan.

Inspired by Gospel music his grandparents would play at home, Lamonte Pakyntein (aka D-Mon) was among the pioneering members of the Khasi Bloodz, who stand at the vanguard of the Hip Hop movement in Shillong. Today, he's offering a platform for young talent across the city.

Tetseo Sisters are a vocal quartet who make music soaked in the rich Naga folk traditions, and talk about their beginnings, influences, and the process of taking traditional music to the mainstream.

Goa-based Dr Luis Dias quit his obstetrics and gynaecology practice in the UK and returned to India in 2008 to start Child’s Play India Foundation, which aims to uplift and empower children from disadvantaged backgrounds through western music.

At a time when only romantic Bollywood songs were commercially acceptable, Moheener Ghoraguli was born. Led by Gautam Chattopadhyay in Kolkata in the '70s, they made music on social issues and their own lives.

Ayana Deva Angadi, a man from Mysore State [now in Karnataka] started the Asian Music Circle with little resources in 1946. This organisation was responsible for introducing several stalwarts, including late Pandit Ravi Shankar to Western audiences, as well as the reason behind the sitar maestro’s deep friendship with former Beatle George Harrison.

Karan Arjun Singh is a foley artist from Mumbai, who has worked behind the scenes of movies including Jab We Met, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, Neerja, Krrish 3, Baahubali and more.  He talks about this underappreciated art in Indian cinema, and how he came to realise his dream.

Brothers Pandit Laxman Rao Nayak Kewale and Pandit Gangadhar Rao Kewale started the International Music Centre Ashram in Varanasi in 1975 to promote and teach Indian classical music through instruments including tabla, bansuri, sitar, and sarangi