MUSICIANS WHO FIRST BLENDED INDIAN AND WESTERN MUSIC –

Some of the major maestros of music have amazed the world, especially with their astounding contribution by doing a fusion of European and Indian music. It has to lead to some of the most amazing exchanges and creations in the world. Here are two artists, which have shaken the world, with their innovations and fusions! They set the path for more combinations between these two!

Satyajit Ray

Legendary filmmaker, Satyajit Ray made some of the most foundational Indian films. However, as many would know that he was also a master of music and composed music for his films. Despite being familiar with the English canon of classical music, as well as Indian classical music, he was very particular about the music he would use for his films. He was unable to usually find the perfect music for his films. Though initially, he assigned this task to his friends, he was eventually unsatisfied and took on the project of making music himself. He knew Beethoven, Bach, Schubert, Pandit Ravi Shankar to all the classical Ragas. He even played the piano.  For his first six films, PatherPanchali and Devi included, he used a lot of music composed by others, but often changed and adjusted them. However, from Teen Kanya onwards, he decided to use his music for his films. All these songs were a result of this fusion of music and were creatively done.  He realized that the texture of music was important to be in with the rhythm of films. Films, where he composed his music, included Goopy GyneBaghaByne and HirakRajarDeshe. In Agantuk, UtpalDutt the lead of the film, mouths a song that is sung by Ray. This was Ray’s last film.

George Harrison

One of the major songwriters, and members of the Beatles, John Lennon was taught the sitar by Pandit Ravi Shankar. In a lot of Beatles songs, one can examine this influence. Harrison learned to play the sitar with a western tuning on the song Norwegian Wood initially. Later he employed Pandit Ravi Shankar to teach him properly. The pair spent weeks together learning.  Some of the songs which have Indian inspiration by the Beatles include Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band and Within You and Without You, amongst many others.

It is such exchanges and rich interspersing that lead to the culmination of fusion music, between India and other parts of the world. The fact that culture is a fluid entity gets proven by these! These artists set a new trend.