Forum members from INDIA....

I live in Chandigarh, INDIA

I've been twice to India, the first time was a six month trip with a buddy of mine, I swore I would go back sometime again and I did with my wife. Goa was the perfect place for a marriage proposal.

I can't remember all the places I've been but Chandigarh rings a heavy bell, I think I was passing through and maybe spent the night, while riding my bike from Dharamsala to Delhi.
It's by far the most charming exciting and interesting place I've been to

Waiting for my fellow Indians and Indian residents......

The Pessimist wrote: Also, massive respect for your classical music. Imrat Khan is one of my favourite musicians of all time.

Thanks

Haha no worries! I'm fascinated by your country and its history. I have one question actually: what is the music "scene" actually like over there and how alive is its culture? Is the classical music easily accessible to anyone visiting? Is there a lot going on? Also where would you recommend visiting? I understand that India is a huge country with over a billion people, so some help narrowing my options down would be greatly appreciated!

Also, just out of curiosity, what's your first language?

The Pessimist wrote: Haha no worries! I'm fascinated by your country and its history. I have one question actually: what is the music "scene" actually like over there and how alive is its culture? Is the classical music easily accessible to anyone visiting? Is there a lot going on? Also where would you recommend visiting? I understand that India is a huge country with over a billion people, so some help narrowing my options down would be greatly appreciated!Also, just out of curiosity, what's your first language?

We hav lots of rock/metal music fans.. Prog is quietly finding its feet among young crowd thanks to the likes of Porcupine Tree & Pink Floyd...
But then most of the country is swept by bollywood(hindi movies) music...
I myself hv never been into indian classical music really...but yes..the culture is still alive though not of yesteryear's prominence..u can find music in gud music stores lyk Planet M..
Places-
Shimla- The queen of hill-stations
Manali- Rohtang Pass & Marijuana
Goa-exotic beaches
New Delhi- hundreds of historical places
Agra-Taj Mahal
Amritsar-Golden Temple
Ur one month is already scheduled...
Yes...punjabi is my mother tongue..

In classical music, the legendary Ustads and Pandits like Shivkumar Sharma or Zakir Hussain still draw huge crowds.  I had gone to watch Shakti's Navi Mumbai concert (I know THAT's not classical, strictly speaking) a couple of years back and was surprised to see not only the crowds but the enthusiasm for their music.   But I don't know to what extent people are interested in younger musicians.  This is a trend cutting across genres.  If it's a well established name with a big fan following, tickets are expensive and hard to get.  But there's not much interest in performances of small and upcoming bands.

I've spent years tramping around India; I've taken two "gap year" trips and one that was more like 18 months with side trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan.