Sitar Strings - Ashwin Batish Signature Series Tablas for sale
Batish Home Page
CATALOG ARCHIVES RAGANET RAGMALA MIDI PANDIT GURU SHISHYA
S.D. BATISH ASHWIN BATISH CONCERTS INSTRUMENTS LINKS CD, DVD DUPS

Indian Music Video Tutors

Click here to order online

or call (831) 423-1699
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

Tabla Tutor 1 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Tabla Tutor Video #1
Introduction to Tabla

by Ashwin Batish

Tabla Tutor User Comments

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

  1. Names of various drum parts - Bayan, Dayan, Pudi, Gatta, Gajara, etc.
  2. Care of your Tabla set
  3. Sitting Position
  4. Tuning the Tabla
  5. Proper left and right hand positions
  6. Some important Tabla and Dagga sounds and their production
  7. Combination sounds
  8. Simple exercises

(Program Duration 65 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV1 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-50-8
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV1DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Tabla Tutor 2 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Tabla Tutor Video #2
Production of Tabla Bols

by Ashwin Batish

Tabla Tutor User Comments

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....

  1. Proper pronunciation guide
  2. Tabla Bols (sounds)
  3. Dagga Bols
  4. Combination Bols
  5. Two beat combinations
  6. Three beat combinations
  7. Four beat combinations
  8. A short performance in Tintal (16 beat cycle)

(Program duration 60 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV12 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-60-5
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV12DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Tanpura (Tambura, Tamboora) Tutor 1 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Tanpura Tutor Video
(sp. tamboora, tambura)

by Ashwin Batish

Tanpura Tutor User Comments

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

  1. Sa/Pa and Sa/Ma tunings
  2. Male Tanpura tuning
  3. Female Tanpura tuning
  4. Tanpura playing positions
  5. Proper hand position
  6. Instrumental Tanpuras
  7. Some alternate tunings
  8. String replacement explained
  9. Care and maintenance

(Program duration 70 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV11 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-53-2
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV11DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Harmonium Tutor 1 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Harmonium Tutor Video #1
Introduction to Harmonium

by Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish
and Ashwin Batish

Harmonium Tutor User Comments

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

  1. Raga Bheempalasi alaap
  2. Harmonium design and care
  3. Sitting position / Left and Right hand positions
  4. North Indian Sargam explained
  5. Notes of Bilaval Thaat
  6. The 12 notes of the octave and their Sargam
  7. Bilaval Thaat fingering from various keys
  8. Basic exercises
  9. A Solo Harmonium performance
  10. Performance using the Harmonium as accompaniment for singing

(Program duration 55 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV5 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-52-4
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV5DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Sitar Tutor 1 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Sitar Tutor Video #1
Introduction to Sitar

by Ashwin Batish

Sitar Tutor User Comments

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:

  1. Sitar Paraphernalia
  2. Half-lotus Sitting Position
  3. Right and Left Hand Positions
  4. Note Production
  5. The Two Layers of Strings explained
  6. Indian Sargam Note Names
  7. Tuning of Top Strings (PA/SA)
  8. Tuning of Sympathic Strings
  9. Mizrab Closeup (finger pick)
  10. Proper way to wear a mizrab
  11. Closeup of various sitar parts
  12. Closeup of accessories box
  13. How to move sitar frets
  14. Learning Indian music vs learning the sitar
  15. A short performance

(Program duration: 65 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV2 / Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-51-6
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV2DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Sitar Tutor 2 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Sitar Tutor Video #2
Begining Sitar Exercises

by Ashwin Batish

Sitar Tutor User Comments

Some of the important topics covered in this video are

  1. Alaap in raga Yaman
  2. Tuning without a tone generator
  3. Alternative sitar holding positions
  4. Right hand exercises - Da, Ra, DiRa, DR
  5. Exercises in Bilaval Thaat
  6. A right hand exercise using Da Ra Da
  7. Four beat exercise using Da Ra Da Ra
  8. Chikari explained
  9. Two, three and four beat Chikari exercises
  10. Chikari application in performance

(Program duration 65 minutes)
Catalog#: BRV3 Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN 1-882319-59-1
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV3DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Dilruba Tutor 1 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Dilruba Video Tutor #1

by Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish
Shri Ashwin Batish
Dilruba Tutor User Comments

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
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV13DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Sitar Repair Tutor - 'Changing Your Sitar Strings' image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Changing Your Sitar Strings

by Shri Ashwin Batish

Sitar care and maintenance part one

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
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV14DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only

Sitar Repair Tutor 'Tweaking Your Sitar' image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Tweaking Your Sitar

by Shri Ashwin Batish

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
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV15DVD Price $49.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only
Vichitra Veena Tutor 1 image. All content is copyright ©1990 - 2003 Batish Records. www.batish.com. All rights reserved.

Program duration 78 minutes
Catalog#: BRV16 Price $59.95 +S&H
ISBN applied for
VHS tapes are Available in NTSC and PAL

This tutor is now available on DVD
Catalog#: BRV16DVD Price $59.95 +S&H
ISBN - N/A
DVDs are Available in NTSC only

Click here to order online
or call (831) 423-1699

Vichitra Veena Video Tutor #1
(other sp. vichiter veena, vichitra vina, vina)

by Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish
Ashwin Batish

Vichitra Veena Tutor User Comments

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.

Here are some of the highlights .....

  • 1. A Short History
  • 2. Recommended String Gauges
  • 3. Sitting Positions explained
  • 4. Mizrab (finger pick)
  • 5. Proper Slide Hold
  • 6. Right Hand Positions
  • 7. Tuning of the open strings
  • 8. Note Locations explained
  • 9. Basic Vichitra Veena Designs
  • 10. Alternative Sliders explored
  • 11. Right Hand Exercises using Da, Ra, DiRa, DR
  • 12. Bilaval Raga scale
  • 13. Simple Sargam Exercises
  • 14. Short Performance in Raga Tilang
Click to go to the Batish Home Page
CATALOG ARCHIVES RAGANET RAGMALA MIDI PANDIT GURU SHISHYA
S.D. BATISH ASHWIN BATISH CONCERTS INSTRUMENTS LINKS CD, DVD DUPS

email: info [at] batish.com

copyright ©1995 - 2003 Batish Institute. All rights reserved. Intended For Personal Use Only. No part of the information here may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without specific written permission from the Batish family.