
is hopefully both an introduction to Indian music that will get some new devotees hooked to the sublimely sensual music of North India and a chance for those already in love with this music to sink in and enjoy. I start each show (pretty much) with a raga and then wander into raaga-based pieces, including bhajans (devotional) thumri (love poetry-based songs) ghazal (Muslim love poetry -based songs) and fusion/world ambient - like Karunesh and Prem Joshua. I love sitting there able to give my all to a whole raaga or most of one.
Indian raagas teach you how to let music take you in slowly and deeply. At first, the rhythmless portion - the alaap - can seem boring, but it is where the musician develops the mood of the raaga and they are so rich. Usually I play songs with a fairly short alaap because I only have an hour. And because, I really dig it when the beat comes in.