Although film songs hardly represent high culture, they have become a part of modern life. Anywhere in India one is sure to hear famous Hindi film singers such as Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh every day on the radio, television, or on a cassette player.

Despite the overwhelming popularity of film music, the great classical traditions of Hindustani and Carnatic music continue to flourish. Hindustani music represents the classic style of north India and Carnatic music is from the south.

It is now very fashionable to attend classical concerts and there is always a full house for musicians such as Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain and Bismillah Khan. Classical vocalists like Bhimsen Joshi, Kishoribai Amonkar and Kumar Gandharva are also household names across the country.

“In the English-speaking World”