Indian Classical Music Meets Psychedelic Rock

In this blog post, we explore the unlikely but delightful fusion of Indian classical music and psychedelic rock. We’ll hear from some of the leading artists in this genre, and learn about the history and origins of this fascinating musical style.

Introduction

Indian classical music and psychedelic rock may seem like an odd pairing, but they actually have a lot in common. Both styles of music originated in the 1960s, and both feature extended improvisation and a focus on atmosphere and texture. Indian classical music is also known for its use of drones, which provide a constant underlying tonal center against which the melodic line can explore. Psychedelic rock often features similar drones, created by electric guitars or other electronic instruments.

The two styles of music came together in the late 1960s when British psychedelic rock bands began to experiment with Indian instruments and sounds. One of the earliest examples is the song “San Francisco Nights” by The Human Beinz, which features sitar and tabla playing along with electric guitars and drums. This fusion of East and West continued in the 1970s with bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, who blended Indian classical music with jazz-rock. In more recent years, artists like Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale have continued to explore the meeting of these two musical traditions.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psyrock, is a subgenre of rock music that started in the 1960s and peaked in popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was coined as a term to describe the increasingly experimental and mind-expanding sound of bands like The Beatles, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix. Psychedelic rock is characterized by its use of psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, as well as other mind-altering substances. The music often features extended jams and improvisation, as well as sonic experimentation.

What is Indian Classical Music?

Indian classical music is a genre of South Asian music. It has two major traditions. The North Indian tradition is called Hindustani, while the South Indian tradition is called Carnatic. These traditions were not distinct until about the 16th century. Indian classical music has a history spanning millennia and developed over several areas. Although India has a single classical music tradition, there are noticeable differences between the northern and southern traditions. Indian classical music is also closely associated with the Hindu religion.

How Psychedelic Rock and Indian Classical Music Differ

Psychedelic rock and Indian classical music may share some sonic similarities, but the two genres are actually quite different. For one, Indian classical music is based on improvisation, while psychedelic rock is based on pre-written songs. Indian classical music also generally uses a lot more acoustic instruments, while psychedelic rock relies more heavily on electric guitars and synthesizers.

That said, there are some similarities between the two genres. Both make use of extended drones and unusual time signatures, and both can induce a sense of transcendence and altered states of consciousness. But at their core, they are still quite different styles of music.

The History of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, also called psychedelia, is a style of popular music that originated in the mid-1960s. Its musical and lyrical style often has been noted for its resemblance to the acid rock and hard rock of the era. Psychedelic rock often employs meters which are unusual for pop music, such as long stretches of 4/4 or 5/4 time. Lyrics may be concerned with drug use, particularly LSD, and attempts to replicate or enhance its effects. The tone of psychedelic rock can be eclectic, drawing on a wide variety of musical traditions including Indian ragas, Middle Eastern maqams, Gregorian chants, blues progressions, and even atonal jazz.

Psychedelic rock developed in the shadow of the Cold War and Hiroshima as a reaction to death, destruction and inhumanity. It was also a rebellion against middle-class values of the time – values which were epitomized by artists like Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams. Psychedelic rockers rejected these values in favor of hedonism, spontaneity and depersonalization.

The first psychedelic band is typically considered to be The Beatles with their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), although some would argue that The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds (1966) was more influential in this regard. With Sgt. Pepper’s… The Beatles expanded their sound by making use of studio techniques which were relatively new at the time such as sitars, harpsichords and backwards tapes. They also incorporated lyrics which referenced drug use and made overt references to LSD trips.

Psychedelic rock reached its peak of popularity in the late 1960s with bands such as The Doors, Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane releasing classic albums such as The Doors (1967), Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), A Saucerful of Secrets (1968), Surrealistic Pillow (1967) and Volunteers (1969). However, by the early 1970s the genre had largely fallen out of favor with both audiences and musicians alike as it was increasingly seen as being self-indulgent and irrelevant.

The History of Indian Classical Music

Indian classical music is one of the oldest forms of music in the world. It has its roots in the Vedic traditions of India and developed over many centuries into a complex system of ragas, talas and melodic improvisation.

The music was originally performed for religious ceremonies and rituals, but over time it became an important part of courtly life and developed into a sophisticated art form. Many of the great Indian classical musicians were patronized by the ruling classes, and their music came to be enjoyed by all strata of society.

In the 20th century, Indian classical music began to be influenced by Western styles, particularly through the work of musicians such as Ravi Shankar and Vilayat Khan. These pioneers helped to popularize Indian music internationally and bring it to new audiences.

Today, Indian classical music is enjoyed by lovers of world music all over the globe. It has also been an important influence on other genres, including psychedelic rock.

The Influence of Psychedelic Rock on Indian Classical Music

Psychedelic rock first began to emerge in the West in the early 1960s, characterized by a heavy use of distorted electric guitars, helping to pioneer the use of sound effects and resulting in a more feedback-drenched sound. The genre’s psychedelic and mind-altering sonic properties laid the foundation for subsequent developments in electronic music. In India, sitar player Ravi Shankar was one of the first classical musicians to embrace this new genre of music, incorporating its mind-expanding sounds into his own sitar playing.

The impact of Shankar’s work can be heard in the playing of his most famous student, George Harrison of The Beatles. Harrison’s experiences with Shankar and Indian classical music helped to shape the band’s experimental sound on their landmark album ” Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” The Beatles’ use of sitar on tracks like “Within You Without You” and “Love You To” helped to popularize Indian music in the West and introduced a new generation to the sounds of Ravi Shankar.

The Influence of Indian Classical Music on Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s with the goal of replicating and enhancing the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. Indian classical music was one of the many international influences that helped shape this new style of music.

Indian musicians such as Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan were some of the first to bring sitars and other traditional Indian instruments to the West. They quickly gained popularity among Western musicians, who were fascinated by their unique sound. Psychedelic rock bands such as The Beatles, The Doors, and Jefferson Airplane began incorporating sitars and other Indian instruments into their music. This fusion of styles created a new sound that was unlike anything else being produced at the time.

The use of Indian instruments and Classical music theory can be heard in many psychedelic rock songs. “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” by The Beatles is one of the most famous examples. The sitar part in this song was written by George Harrison, who was heavily influenced by Ravi Shankar. Another example is “Raga Rock” by Curt Boettcher, which fuses elements of classical Indian music with psychedelic rock.

Indian classical music continued to be a major influence on psychedelic rock throughout the 1960s and 1970s. More and more Western musicians began studying Indian music, leading to a greater understanding and appreciation for this rich musical tradition.

Conclusion

It is evident that there are many sonic and cultural similarities between Indian classical music and psychedelic rock, and it is safe to say that the two genres have influenced each other in many ways. Despite their differences, both genres share a love for improvisation, exploration, and innovation, and it is clear that they have much to learn from each other. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is likely that we will see more and more cross-pollination between genres, resulting in new and exciting sounds.