The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #166229   Message #3995057
Posted By: Vic Smith
03-Jun-19 - 06:55 AM
Thread Name: BBC TV - Rhythms of India
Subject: BBC TV - Rhythms of India
For those with a wider interest in tradirtional music, can I strongly recommend the BBC 4 series, Rhythms of India. The British born Bengali, Soumik Datta, travels around India seeking out survivals of traditional music in that rapidly changing country. From the first programme, this looks to be a well-researched and fascinating documentary and Soumik is a enthusiastic and excellent presenter. Here is the the BBC's synopsis of the second programme in the series:-
Soumik Datta continues his musical travels around India in the southern state of Kerala, home to some of the oldest religious music in the country. He visits the Panchari Melam, a spectacular Hindu festival with extraordinary displays of massed drumming. And in Maharashtra, he discovers how the brass band tradition, with its origins in the military bands of the British Raj, is falling out of favour as the staple of Indian wedding processions.

In Bengal he encounters Baul singers, mystic minstrels whose music is intended to spread a message of spiritual enlightenment. And in the deserts of Rajasthan he discovers how the rich folk heritage of the region is drawing tourists from around the world and helping to sustain communities.

Throughout his journey, he marvels at how the music of ordinary people continues to play an important role in their lives and reflects on the challenges facing communities across India as they adapt to a fast-changing world.

It is currently available on BBC i-Player at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0005hh7/rhythms-of-india-series-1-2-music-of-the-people