Wow List- Indian music

This is the continuation to the last post and as asked by Brenton I am trying to compile a list of my favourite Indian musicians. In India a major chunk of the music comprises of the soundtrack to various movies and it would be very difficult for me to compile a definitive collection of 'filmi' music. I am going to try to divide my musical tastes into different genres and try to give you my favourite artist and their best work according to me. There is so much diversity in terms of language, folk music and musical style sin India that it would be impossible to make a definitive and complete list but I am going to try my best keeping in mind my musical taste.

1. Sufi Music: Sufism is a school of thought in Islam which has been very close to my heart. Most schools of thought in Sufism believe that music is the medium through which we could achieve union with God. Music is supposed to transfer you into an alter universe where you are closer to the beloved (God). Qawwalli is the name for the form of music that is sung in the Sufi shrines. The two most important artists in the Sufi music genre are Late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen.You can start with the album Night Song which was a collaboration between Nusrat and Michael Brook. Then you can graduate to his other titles on Peter Gabriel's label called Real World Records. Most of the music artists signed onto Real World are really great. While looking for some links for this post I came across this album called The Prayer Circle and heard it on iTunes and I think its really nice. In case underground music scene is some you like then there is the album called Star Rise which features some really nice mixes of Nusrat's songs by artists based in UK. Abida Parveen is one of the few and the greatest female Sufi singer. She has the most intoxicating and powerful vocals but sadly most of her best work is with Muzaffar Ali and I'd think it will be very difficult to buy any of it in the West. Her best albums in my opinion are Ru E Ali and Raqs e Bismil. You can also give Jahan e Khusrau a listen or try Songs of the Mystics. Other Sufi singers are Zila Khan, Ustad Rahet Ali Khan, Ustad Shafaqat Ali Khan.
   
2. Indian Classical Music: As with the West Classical music has been the music of the classes and is not so popular. Indian classical music can be divided into Vocal and Instrumental music. Instrumental music includes many instruments like Sitar, Sarangi, Flute (Bansuri), Tabla, Santoor etc. Most of the classical music is based on compositions called Ragas. Sarangi is my favourite India instrument and the artists that I like is Ustad Sultan Khan. Along with being able to play the instrument beautifully he also has the most rustic and folk vocal quality. If you can try to get hold of Pukaar a posthumous collaboration between Nusrat and Sultan done digitally. Other albums being Piya Basanti, Morning and Evening Ragas and Jugalbandis with other artists like Zakir Hussain (tabla artists). Another famous artists is Pandit Ravi Shankar (Norah Jones' father) and he plays the sitar. The recommended albums are Chants of India and West meets East- The historic Shankar Menuhin collection. If you like the sound of the sitar you could try his daughter's Anoushka Shankar's Grammy nominated album- Rise.
   
3. Then there is the plethora of Indian artist who have been born and brought up outside their country and have tried to form an amalgamation of the two cultures in their music. Some of my favourites and their albums being Susheela Raman- Love trap, Salt Rain and Music for Crocodiles; Talvin Singh - Ha, Ok; Azam Ali/ Vas/ Niyaz- Portals of Grace, Elysium of the Brave, Feast of silence, In the Garden of Souls; Sheila Chandra- Weaving my ancestor's voice.
4. Bollywood Music: A R Rahman has been the most experimental and successful Bollywood music director. He has collaborated with artists all over the world. Out of the soundtracks he has produced my favourite are Dil Se, Lagaan, Taal and Saathiya. R.D. Burman and Vishal Bhardwaj are some of the other notable music directors. To get a modern take on Bollywood music the album You've stolen my heart by Kronos Quartet featuring Asha Bhonsle is recommended. Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh are known for their melidious love songs called ghazals.
   
5. Tibetan Music: I know that Tibetan Buddhist music cannot be considered a part of Indian music but I find it meditative and soothing and therefore am including it in my list of must have music from the Indian subcontinent. An introduction should include the following albums: The Lama's chants and Rain of Blessings by Lama Gyurme and Jean-Philippe Rykiel; Tibetan Master Chants by Lama Tashi; Wind of Devotion ft Carlos Nakai, Rhythms of Peace by Nawang Khechog; Tibetan Tantric Choir by The Gyuto Monks.

This list is by no means complete and I will keep updating it as and when I keep discovering new music that I think I should share with you all. Until then ciao.