Ashwin Batish is an extraordinary sitarist and tabla player. He received training in the North Indian classical tradition from his father S.D. Batish and later created his own unique fusion of Indian classical sitar with pop, rock, jazz, calypso, funk... an example of a few hybrids he excells at. He is famous for such songs as the Bombay Boogie, Raga Rock, Raga Jazz, Casbah Shuffle and Sitar Mania.
Ashwin is also very well know for being an educator. His series of instructional videos for the sitar, tabla, dilruba, dholak, vichitra veena, harmonium that he has produced with his father Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish have become a very sought after commodity by the Indian music student. Ashwin often gives private and group Indian music lessons at his Santa Cruz, California USA facility and is often called upon by various music festivals and universities to perform his sitar and be a guest lecturer for weekend workshops and seminars on Indian music and ethnopop, raga rock sitar fusion.
Ashwin Batish's pioneering effort in worldbeat music called "Sitar Power" has earned him some critical reviews and great respect in the music community. The sitar is ageless in Ashwin's hands. It is souped up for amplification and effects! We hope you get to catch one of Ashwin's electric performances. His music is as dynamic as his stage presence. When called upon, Ashwin will assemble a seven piece band of handpicked musicians that compliment his every musical nuance.
Booking: Sandra Batish email: info [at] batish.com
1310 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | Tel: (831) 423-1699 | Fax: (831) 423-5172 | Toll Free: 1-800-RAG-MALA (724-6252)
It's powerful, it's magical! .... Stops you dead in your tracks the first time you hear it .... Batish rips on the Sitar" - Tower Records, Pulse.
"Sitar Power is a mind blowing mix of modern funk gadgetry and classical Eastern flavor. This is no novelty. Batish has been called a sitar master by fellow musicians and critics alike." - CMJ, NY
India West, California
The chasm between Western popular and the sedate, ponderous world of Indian classical music is not an easy one to bridge, however. Western popular music is geared to meeting the needs of a fast-paced lifestyle: It's immediate, sensuous, and hits the senses with a bang.
Dirty Linnen, NY
The Frank Zappa of the sitar has finally released his second volume of Sitar Power. It's been nine years and he has gotten even more experimental.
India Currents, California
If you think that fusion - music that combines the sounds of different traditions - is passe, you need to hear Ashwin Batish's latest. This compact disc contains eight new tracks which breathe new life into the fusion genre.
All music composed and performed by Ashwin Batish (ASCAP).
This was Ashwin's debut album. It was originally recorded in 1978 and was a cassette only release. This recording has been re mastered for CD from the original Reel to Reel tape. Some of Ashwin's favorite morning ragas are presented here being performed in the North Indian classical style. Ashwin's father is accompanying him on the tabla.
All music composed and performed by S.D. Batish (ASCAP).
Album Description
This music evokes the Shanta Rasa–an aura of peace and tranquility, a state of being essential to meditation.
Dilruba, the instrument being played by Panditji, has 30 sympathetic strings. Each string is especially tuned to the proper shruti and is in perfect harmony. As the lead string is bowed to the notes of the raga, these sympathetic strings reverberate automatically producing a deep, lush, and dreamy sound . This instrument is one of the most popular stringed instruments of the bowed variety in Northern India. Its fretted finger board resembles that of a Sitar and its belly, upon which the main bridge rests, is covered with goat skin like on a Sarangi.
The Om Shanti Series was initiated by Ashwin Batish and his father Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish when approached by many people looking for pure tonal music to meditate, relax, or to do daily yoga practice to. The music is un-metered, very slow, fluid, and extremely relaxing. Each note of the raga (modal scale) is fine tuned to enhance its natural soothing qualities.
Two Tanpuras add soothing drone in the background.
All music composed and performed by Ashwin Batish (ASCAP).
Album Description
Relaxation Through Music
This music evokes the Shanta Rasa- an aura of peace and tranquility, a state of being essential to meditation. Swara means a musical note and “Mandal” means a multitude or group. Each string is especially tuned to the proper shruti and is in perfect harmony. The main idea behind the playing of the Swaramandal is the way its delicate web of music producing strings are handled.
The Om Shanti Series was initiated by Ashwin Batish and his father Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish when approached by many people looking for pure tonal music to meditate, relax, or to do daily yoga practice to. The music is un-metered, very slow, fluid, and extremely relaxing. Each note of the raga (modal scale) is fine tuned to enhance its natural soothing qualities.
Two Tanpuras add soothing drone in the background.
About the Swarmand (Indian Harp)
The swarmandal has about 30 playing strings encompassing a four octave range. It has to be re-tuned every time a new raga is evoked. The tuning is modal and in just intonation (as opposed to the tempered intonation of Western instruments). Thus each note is in perfect harmony with the rest. Playing or listening to these notes will evoke within you a corresponding state of peace, tranquility and inner harmony.
While listening to the tape, take deep breaths and chant Om. You should feel your voice vibrating in your chest when you utter Om. This will have a very relaxing effect on your body and mind. Chanting Om in a slow deliberate manner will also help you inhale and exhale easily and evenly hence acting as a breathing exercise which in the long run will produce a marked improvement on your mental and physical well being.
Rupavati Mela #12
This album is the first of a six volume set encompassing the complete seventy two Melakartas (musical scales) of the Carnatic music system. There are twelve Chakras (groups) of six Melakartas each. The first two, the Indu and the Netra Chakras are covered here. Most of the songs are in in the Raga Lakshan Geet form - which means that the words of each song also teach the pertinent details of its raga. The compositions are the original creations of Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish and are rendered in the North Indian classical style of singing utilizing North Indian talas (rhythm cycles).
Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish has brought his over 60 years of active musical experience - as a singer, composer, author, song writer, music director, and multi-instrumentalist, to bear upon this musical creation superimposing the North Indian style of singing and composing to the Carnatic ragas. As far as we know, such a work has never before been attempted by a North Indian composer. Such beautiful compositions and style breathes new life into both the Northern and the Southern music traditions.
Ashwin Batish graces this project with his magical touch. With his multi-instrumental skills, he adds the perfect arrangements and orchestration to his father’s compositions.
Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish was born in a Brahman family and received classical music training from his guru Shri Chandan Ram Charan of Patiala, Punjab. In 1936, he rose to stardom with his hit song Khamosh Nigahen from the film Dassi, he has recorded virtually thousands of songs with His Master’s Voice of India. Panditji has composed music for over 45 films in India and directed music & sung and worked with leading music directors such as S. D. Burman and O. P. Nayyar. He is recognized as an outstanding artist A grade artist of All India radio and TV. His Compositions have been rendered by top singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Asha Bhonsle, Mohamad Rafi, Talat Mahmood. Some of his hit songs are, Ishk Ishk Qawali, Manmohan Man Me, Poocho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitaee.
In England, Panditji worked with the BBC and was one of the founders of the TV program Apna Hi Ghar Samajhiye created for the resident immigrants of India. He also composed and directed music for over 20 documentary movies. His most popular venture was when he helped the Beatles record the sound track for their film “Help”. He also taught George Harrison and his wife Patti the Dilruba.
In 1970 , Panditji moved to California to teach Indian music at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Here, along with his son Ashwin, he formed the Batish Institute of Indian Music and Fine Arts dedicated to teaching and furthering the culture and arts of India.
Cassette BR5004C - $9.99
CD BR5004CD - $17.99
To order Directly from Batish Records Catalog
Album Description
This is a special release of a performance/interview of Ashwin on KKUP Radio in Cupertino, California. We hope you will enjoy its live nature and on-air vibes. An interview with Ashwin is included. John Taylor, one of Ashwin’s students, accompanies him throughout the performance on the tabla.
A special thanks to Joe Sodja and “The Ethnic Connection” for inviting Ashwin and recording the performance. Ashwin has been a regular contributor to KKUP for the past 25 years!
This is a recording of a very exciting meeting of two brilliant classical musicians with energy to spare. Improvising on stunning rhythmic cycles, intricate passages weave with a deftness that thrills theheart. Ashwin Batish and Zakir Hussain make a great team!
Instruction Videos by Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish and Shri Ashwin Batish
Learn to play your favorite Indian music instrument in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. These tutor are produced by the Batish family after many years of teaching experience and are a very unique learning tool for students of Indian music that might find themselves at a loss for a good accomplished guru in their area.
Ashwin Batish has been teaching music for over 25 years. He is a virtuoso sitar and tabla player. He and his father Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish have pioneered in self help products that teach music of India. They are hard at work producing instructional videos to teach the various Indian musical instruments like the Sitar, Tabla, Dilruba, Harmonium, Vichitra Veena, Violin, Tanpura. Ashwin is frequently invited to various Universities for lecture demos. Here's a recent review mentioning Ashwin as a teacher.... "A student of Batish once remarked that what she liked about studying with him was his cheerful, playful approach to Indian music. It is true. With Ashwin Batish, you don't feel constrained by the tradition of centuries. You learn how to open your ears and your mind to new sounds, new possibilities. "India Currents Magazine."
All Videos are available in NTSC and PAL formats. Please specify your preference when ordering
The Tabla drum set has become the staple percussion diet of
the Indian music scene. Although today it has found a permanent
home in the classical music tradition of North India, it has also
been the rhythm instrument of choice in folk and film music.
This video deals with
Names of various drum parts - Bayan, Dayan, Pudi, Gatta,
Gajara, etc.
Care of your Tabla set
Sitting Position
Tuning the Tabla
Proper left and right hand positions
Some important Tabla and Dagga sounds and their
production
Combination sounds
Simple exercises
(Program Duration 65 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV1 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-50-8
Available in NTSC and PAL
This tutor provides one of the most thorough collections of
Tabla bols. Each combination is demonstrated with closeups of the
hands. Titles, listing the bols with a specially designed font,
display while the bols are being demonstrated.
This video contains....
Proper pronunciation guide
Tabla Bols (sounds)
Dagga Bols
Combination Bols
Two beat combinations
Three beat combinations
Four beat combinations
A short performance in Tintal (16 beat cycle)
(Program duration 60 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV12 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-60-5
Available in NTSC and PAL
Many explain this instrument to be a drone in the classical
ensemble. This is true but let me explain all its capabilities
and its use in the ensemble. Whereas the drone seems like an
obvious function of the tanpura, there are many other, more
subtle, uses that the tanpura is put to in every performance. A
student of this instrument should try to familiarise themselves
with all these areas as it will make them a better participant in
a musical performance.
This video deals with
Sa/Pa and Sa/Ma tunings
Male Tanpura tuning
Female Tanpura tuning
Tanpura playing positions
Proper hand position
Instrumental Tanpuras
Some alternate tunings
String replacement explained
Care and maintenance
(Program duration 70 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV11 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-53-2
Available in NTSC & PAL
The Harmonium has become a very popular and a proficient tool
for the singer in today's music. Many light classical singers
have adopted this instrument for accompaniment. It is also
becoming an instrument of solo performance. Pandit Shiv Dayal
Batish is a master of all these styles. He and Ashwin demonstrate
the basics with many examples that will get the student initiated
into the proper technique.
This video tutor contains
Raga Bheempalasi alaap
Harmonium design and care
Sitting position / Left and Right hand positions
North Indian Sargam explained
Notes of Bilaval Thaat
The 12 notes of the octave and their Sargam
Bilaval Thaat fingering from various keys
Basic exercises
A Solo Harmonium performance
Performance using the Harmonium as accompaniment for
singing
(Program duration 55 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV5 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-52-4
Available in NTSC & PAL
Sitar master Shri Ashwin
Batish starts this video from the very basics. But these
steps are also very important even for the initiated. Topics
covered are:
Sitar Paraphernalia
Half-lotus Sitting Position
Right and Left Hand Positions
Note Production
The Two Layers of Strings explained
Indian Sargam Note Names
Tuning of Top Strings (PA/SA)
Tuning of Sympathic Strings
Mizrab Closeup (finger pick)
Proper way to wear a mizrab
Closeup of various sitar parts
Closeup of accessories box
How to move sitar frets
Learning Indian music vs learning the sitar
A short performance
(Program duration: 65 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV2 / Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-51-6
Available in NTSC & PAL
We'd like to announce that Tutor #1 is now ready. Pandit Shiv
Dayal Batish and Ashwin Batish take you through the basics of
this wonderful instrument. This tutor is a must for any serious
Dilruba student. All our tutors are available in VHS NTSC, PAL,
and SECAM formats. Here are the contents of this one....
A short introduction and history
Bilaval scale note production
The sitar/sarangi connection explained
Sitting position demonstrated
Proper hand position
Playing technique
Bow holding technique
Dilruba bow vs cello bow
Dilruba Paraphernalia
Main strin notes reproduction
Dilruba tuning
Basic exercises
Alhaiya Bilaval alaap by Pandit S. D. Batish
Program duration 62 minutes
Catalog#: BRV13 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-54-0
Available in NTSC & PAL
It sounds simple enough until you go about doing it. Changing the strings on your sitar can be quite daunting especially to newbies. An instrument repair shop can charge you a lot for this. It can take a seasoned pro more than two hours for this job. It is good for a sitar student to know how to do this themselves. What if you are performing and you break a string you have to become an expert to take care of such emergencies!
This video covers the intricate task of replacing all the strings on a sitar. Detailed step-by-step instructions makes this experience easy and safe. Tips given include how to make proper string loops, clean the frets, polish the sitar, and how to protect yourself from injury.
Program duration 62 minutes
Catalog#: BRV14 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-61-3
Available in NTSC & PAL
Sitars coming out of India are invariably in need of tweaking. This is unfortunate as most of the new sitar students (and a few old ones) have no idea of the mechanics of a sitar and hence cannot set it to play in good intonation and with the proper action. THis not only makes your learning experience disappointing but is also a major barrier to a student's musical growth. This tutor covers many of the adjustments necessary to whip your sitar into performance shape.
Topics Covered
Bridge adjustment using harmonics
Main string adjustment
Tuning beads adjustment
Tuning the frets for proper intonation
Adjustments to maximize the sitar's meend
Shimming the bridge
Program duration 62 minutes
Catalog#: BRV15 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-63-1
Available in NTSC & PAL
Program duration 78 minutes
Catalog#: BRV16 Price $59.95 +S&H
ISBN applied for
Available in NTSC & PAL
The Vichitra Veena Tutor #1 ready for shipment. We are very proud of its content. It is a first of its kind with a very thorough coverage of the basics. The tutor is authored by Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish and his son Shri Ashwin Batish.
The goal of this tutor is to give the Vichitra Veena a new lease on life. It is pathetic that it's practitioners can today be counted on the fingers of your hands. Although students are gradually picking this instrument up for study, many get discouraged due to lack of direction resulting in this instrument ending up in a closet or in a glass case to be visually admired. We aim to change this and this tutor is the first step! Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish has been actively playing this instrument for over 60 years. As a vocalist he has a special insight into its workings. He shares this with you in this, and upcoming tutors.
