What is a Raga? | Sitar maestro Niladri Kumar explains | Music of India

#darbarfestival | “How do you make the sentence? How do you make the spelling?” Niladri Kumar explains the concept of raga, demonstrating the ideas on his sitar as he goes. Learn more about the music: Niladri Kumar is known for his expansive modern sitar style, stretching the boundaries of classical music. Trained under his father, a disciple of Ravi Shankar, he was recognised as a prodigy. He has since developed an extraordinary technical command of his instrument, complete with dextrous double stops, whispering string bends, and rapid taans [fast improvised lines]. He makes forays into film composition and is the inventor of the ‘zitar’ - a hybrid of electric guitar and sitar. Today he tours extensively with Zakir Hussain’s groups as well as a solo artist. Recorded at Darbar Festival in 2014: -Niladri Kumar (sitar) WATCH HUNDREDS OF FULL-LENGTH VIDEOS on our premium subscription service. You can also get the Darbar App which will let you download content and watch later, this is great for when you are