Product Description

A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Good choice
If you are preparing for a trip to India and you can just buy one book to learn about the culture, what to do and what to avoid, this would be my choice. It has a lot of good advice, though it might not be as colourful and entertaining as others.

Very good
I was a motivated reader: I read this after I returned from a month with my new wife's family in India.The book helps me understand and deal with patterns that were hard to anticipate or accept.It is the first treatment I have ever seen, of the difficulty I have as a Mason-Dixon Line baby boomer becoming functional in the employer/servant relationship that is part of India (whether you like it or not), and the oddly (to American eyes) hierarchical behavior I have sometimes seen in the software industry.It contains a wealth of information for readers of either gender, and the longer you plan to stay in India, the more useful is the covered material.The well-spoken female author addresses details of the uniquely woman's world in India that can help me understand the forces at play in my wife's life there and in her perceptions and habits in the US.The flip side is that the author has less to offer about relationships between men, but capitalistic globalization's male domination suggests that topic will be covered in another book, "Speaking of India: Bridging the Communication Gap When Working With Indians" when I get to it.
Because of its extreme diversity, to go deeper into India would have required the author to write separate books for each region,so I thought she did an excellent job and stopped where she had to.I found Culture Shock! India compelling to the end.

indian recommends this book to all friends visitng India
I was introduced to this series during a low point in my life in the US - finished grad school and the academic coccoon, in SoCal, with fabulous weather and zillions of things to do, lots of easy acquaintances and NO friends. There seemed to be barriers I couldn't break. Browsing through the bookstore, I came across "Culture Shock USA". before I even opened it, I had the sensation of having found something I needed but hadn't known to look for! I read it on my feet and felt it explained many things about the USA to me. It helped me to modify my expectations of Americans, not to personalize things and to lose my sense of isolation since so many of the incidents that had happened to me were described in the book. I bought it, and lend it or recommend it to other "culture shocked immigrants", not on first arrival, rather, after they have been here a year or so.

As a reality check on the series, I also bought "Culture Shock India". I found it to be written with a great sense of humour, understanding and fundamentally joy in India. I can't recall a single part that I strongly disagreed with (and I am someone who yells at newspapers and magazines). There were certainly customs and habits and regional variations that were new to me and I thought provided insight. This is another book I lend, recommend or gift to friends who are planning to visit or stay in India during which they do intend to meet Indians, are not being shepherded by some interlocutor. This book is for people who are willing to enjoy India, are open to surprises and open to people, and can figure out where to eat by themselves and are not driven by a need to have the most bestest possible experience, nor by a need to "go beyond Lonely Planet".

BTW, I am discriminating in my praise for the books in this series. "Culture shock Spain" is horrendous, written by an American without people skills who is bitter about her/his experience and basically doesn't seem to like Spain or the Spanish. That book I returned!

Insights were spot-on, prepared me well for 1-week business trip
I purchased this book in preparation for my first-ever business trip to India.I returned just last week and am so pleased with the insights and knowledge this book provided me with prior to my visit.I don't mean to exaggerate, but there were dozens of experiences during my stay where I said to myself, "This is exactly what the book taught me!".I found myself in many unexpected situations, like in some family homes, where I was very well prepared to not make a total fool of myself, and at the same time understand many of the things that were going on.I didn't purchase any other guides, but also did not feel like I was lacking in any area after returning from the trip.Yes, the book does cater to a slightly broader audience (to include those who are staying long-term), but even for a quick business trip the information in the book was relevant, detailed, accurate, and exceptionally helpful.It doesn't take long to read so don't be tempted to skim... I was surprised how useful some of the topics were in practice.

Great for non-tour traveler
I read this book before travelling through India for 2 months. I found that I was pretty prepared for the experience because of this book.If you want to know where to stay or what to do - that's not what this book is for. This is to expose you to the culture and how you should behave in a place where there are always expectations (you'll learn quickly when you don't meet those expectations by the looks that you get :).If you're taking an organized tour, you probably won't have to deal with a lot of the information in this book, but it's still interesting to know.

For a travel stories book, which also has a lot of information on culture shock, read Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald.Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure

Enjoy India!! ... Read more

Product Description
India is in transition. Since the publication of Culture Smart’s first guide to India in 2003, it has been transformed from a developing, third-world country into the world’s fastest growing economy. Today, a huge, confident, emerging middle class is exporting technology, brains, and enterprise to the rest of the world. At the same time, young Indians educated abroad are returning home to take advantage of the new opportunities, bringing Western expectations and lifestyles with them. The impact of all this wealth-creation, modernity, and individualism on the timeless values and ancient caste structures of India is beginning to be felt well beyond the great cities, adding yet another facet to the giant kaleidoscope of Indian society.
 
This completely new and up-to-date volume by American author Becky Stephen is unrivalled. It highlights the many subtle and not so subtle changes that are taking place in Indian society, describes and explains those areas of life where traditional attitudes and practices continue to prevail, and offers original insights, practical tips, and vital human information to guide you through the pitfalls and delights of this complex, vibrant, and increasingly important country. ... Read more

Product Description
Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include:

* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken

"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times
... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Good guide for culture and customs of India
I purchased this book for my brother and sister-in-law who were preparing for an extended stay in India.They were very appreciative when I gave it to them, and they proceeded to read and study before their trip.Both agreed, when they came back, that this cultural guide is one of the best because of its clear and concise style and organization.They appreciated the straight-forward and complete details which proved tomake their stay in India more comfortable and less stressful. The book proved to be an essential reference during their trip.

An Inquiry into the Banal...
I am preparing for my first trip to India. I purchased this book along with the Lonely Planet guides to India and Rajasthan. I must say that this book doesn't really give that much more by way of guidance than your basic wikipedia article or the section on etiquette in the LP guide. Most of the book consists in glosses on Indian religion, politics, and culture. While there is worthwhile advice to be found in this book, I do not recommend it as a way to understand Indian culture or to follow Indian norms. In both this book falls short. Instead, this is "India for Idiots", a banal and trifling discussion of the most basic Indian practices ('don't shake with your left hand, bring toilet paper and other boring suggestions are everywhere in this book).

If you want a rough guide, use the web. Forums like IndiaMike provide more in-depth advice about Indian customs than books like this.

Required Reading for ANYONE traveling to India
India is a culture that is far outside the understanding of most westerners. This book was easy to read and understand and DEFINITELY helped us to respond, behave and act properly in a very foreign land.
The book is direct, concise and well written. We would recommend this to anyone visiting a culture that will appreciate the effort not to offend.
This book was really A+_.

India ideas
I will be going on a mission trip this fall and wanted something that would give me useful information - this did the job!

Great book
With the economies of asia sky rocketting and the world getting more and more globalized by the day, it makes it essential to know more about customs and beliefs around the world. This is a great book to start with. ... Read more

Product Description
The book is a guide to the art and visual culture of India in its Modern, Post-Modern, ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the land...physical characteristics including history and glorious wonders. Discover the people...unique customs as well as those shared round the world. Discover the culture...modern festivals, ancient processions, food, games and more. Candid photographs depict India's unique mixture of peoples at home, work, and school in this engaging new second revised edition of "India the People". Updated facts and statistics help support the clearly written text that describes village and city life. Other topics include: the history of India's struggle for independence; life in an Indian home; urban and rural areas; social problems such as unemployment and poverty; and, Indian customs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Bobbie Kalman's 'INDIA' books offer excellent geographic surveys suitable for libraries
Bobbie Kalman's 'INDIA' books offer excellent geographic surveys suitable for libraries where country studies are done. Each 32-page book pairs contemporary photos with plenty of facts. INDIA THE CULTURE surveys the religious and cultural influences on India, while INDIA THE PEOPLE covers family life, homes, village life, rural and urban living, and social issues. Both are fine picks for any library strong in India culture.
... Read more

Product Description
This is the first book to concentrate on the visual culture of Indian cinema, specifically Bombay-based cinema since 1913. Cinema is one of India's most vibrant cultural products, as well as a major industry, producing the largest number of films in the world. Drawing on a wide range of sources, Dwyer and Patel examine Bombay cinema's unique styles, genres and themes, tracing its roots in early photography, theatre and chromolithography and its development as a visual regime that dominates Indian popular culture. The authors consider mise-en-scene, looking at sets, locations and costumes crucial to understanding Indian fashion, lifestyle and consumption. They examine the use of hairstyles and make-up in the context of representations of the body in order to explore changing ideas of beauty and sexuality. Other crucial elements that are discussed include ethnicity and Westernization, thus highlighting issues of class, caste, regional variation and religion. Finally the authors look at publicity materials and examine the development of the imagery employed in film-advertising. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Gorgeously illustrated Oxford UP edition
Readable academic study of visual aspects of Indian cinema, with a terrific chapter on Bollywood movie posters, gorgeously illustrated on almost every page. Get the Oxford UP India edition. Informative, well researched and documented, and stunning to look at.

Avoid! A "visual" book with four pages of color pictures!
An extreme disappointment. While the subject deserves attention, this book contains only a few black and white photographs, and minimal color photos, the latter from only three to four movies! Written in sophmoric, academic tones, page after page of un-interesting text failed to give any insight whatsoever into an art form that populates more movie marquees than any other place in the world.
And for the over-the-top price, you could probably afford a trip to India to evaluate the topic yourself! ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the land...physical characteristics including history and glorious wonders. Discover the people...unique customs as well as those shared round the world. Discover the culture...modern festivals, ancient processions, food, games and more. Updated facts and statistics highlight this new second revised edition of "India the Land". Spectacular photographs feature India's varied geography from snow-covered mountaintops to tropical rainforests. Learn about India's major cities, its disputed borders, foreign influences, and current challenges. Other topics include: India's many peoples; water and other natural resources; transportation, agriculture, and industry; exotic wildlife, elephants, and camels; and, pollution, overpopulation, and sanitation problems. ... Read more

Product Description
Culture Wise India is essential reading for anyone planning to visit or live in India, whether for business or pleasure, for a few days holiday or a lifetime. It is guaranteed to help newcomers avoid cultural and social gaffes; make friends and influence people; and enhance their understanding of India and the Indian people. Printed in full color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Many little known fact and points of interest
This is a gem of a book that provides many pieces of cultural interest and practical advice for traveling. I will take this with me on my first trip to India.It is clear the writer is well versed in Indian culture and has an honest approach with sharing the "real story." ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the land...physical characteristics including history and glorious wonders. Discover the people...unique customs as well as those shared round the world. Discover the culture...modern festivals, ancient processions, food, games and more. Explore ancient religions and other facets of India's rich and colourful culture in this new second revised edition of "India the Culture". Updated facts and statistics and breathtaking photographs bring to life this rich and ancient culture rooted in religion. Other topics of this title include: India's many religious sects; art and crafts; how to wrap a sari; festivals and wedding customs; theatre, dance, and food; and, a recipe for Indian ice cream. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Bobbie Kalman's 'INDIA' books offer excellent geographic surveys suitable for libraries
Bobbie Kalman's 'INDIA' books offer excellent geographic surveys suitable for libraries where country studies are done. Each 32-page book pairs contemporary photos with plenty of facts. INDIA THE CULTURE surveys the religious and cultural influences on India, while INDIA THE PEOPLE covers family life, homes, village life, rural and urban living, and social issues. Both are fine picks for any library strong in India culture.

India The Culture
Excellent book for children that clearly depicts the culture in an interesting way. It might need an update for current day customs. ... Read more

Product Description

Pop Culture India! Media, Arts, and Lifestyle follows the rise of modern India's pop culture world, especially since the 1980s, when relaxed censorship and economic liberalization led to an explosion in movies, music, mass media, consumerism, spiritual practices, and more. It is a captivating introduction to a diverse nation whose appetite for entertainment has led to some surprising twists and turns in recent history.

How did a popular Indian television series spark a change in government and the rise of Hindu nationalism? Are some Bollywood film companies laundering money for organized crime, or even al Qaeda? What accounts for the overwhelming popularity of that quaint vestige of colonialism, cricket? The answers, and many more intriguing insights, await the reader in Pop Culture India!

Product Description

This is a book about the newness of old things. It concerns an oratorical revolution, a transformation of oratorical style linked to larger transformations in society at large. It explores the aesthetics of Tamil oratory and its vital relationship to one of the key institutions of modern society: democracy. Therefore this book also bears on the centrality of language to the modern human condition.

Though Tamil oratory is a relatively new practice in south India, the Dravidian (or Tamil nationalist) style employs archaic forms of Tamil that suggest an ancient mode of speech. Beginning with the advent of mass democratic politics in the 1940s, a new generation of politician adopted this style, known as "fine," or "beautiful Tamil" ( centamil), for its distinct literary virtuosity, poesy, and alluring evocation of a pure Tamil past.

Bernard Bate explores thecentamil phenomenon, arguing that the genre's spectacular literacy and use of ceremonial procession, urban political ritual, and posters, praise poetry are critical components in the production of a singularly Tamil mode of political modernity: a Dravidian neoclassicism. From his perspective, thecentamil revolution and Dravidian neoclassicism suggest that modernity is not the mere successor of tradition but the production of tradition, and that this production is a primary modality of modernity, a new newness-albeit a newness of old things.

Product Description
This book looks at the different ways in which cinema from south India is organized and structured. Broadly focusing on Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films, the essays explore the different ideologies within the tradition of films, film industries, and 'filmwoods'. How these ideologies within and outside the contexts of film industries construct ideas and images of identity related to language, gender, region, and politics among others? How these in turn are very entrenched in notions of 'culture'? These are among several other questions the contributors--established theoreticians of film studies and emerging scholars--address. Locating the debate away from the Bollywood/Hindi cinema-nation framework, the volume suggests that a single framework or a framework that polarizes Hindi cinema and 'other' cinemas is too narrow for studying cinemas of India. The Introduction by Sathya Prakash and Sowmya Dechamma looks at all these issues and reviews existing studies on cinemas of south India. ... Read more

Product Description
In this work of impressive scholarship, Sheldon Pollock explores the remarkable rise and fall of Sanskrit, India's ancient language, as a vehicle of poetry and polity. He traces the two great moments of its transformation: the first around the beginning of the Common Era, when Sanskrit, long a sacred language, was reinvented as a code for literary and political expression, the start of an amazing career that saw Sanskrit literary culture spread from Afghanistan to Java. The second moment occurred around the beginning of the second millennium, when local speech forms challenged and eventually replaced Sanskrit in both the literary and political arenas. Drawing striking parallels, chronologically as well as structurally, with the rise of Latin literature and the Roman empire, and with the new vernacular literatures and nation-states of late-medieval Europe, The Language of the Gods in the World of Men asks whether these very different histories challenge current theories of culture and power and suggest new possibilities for practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Genius Work on Sanskrit and its Influence
This highly academic work will be appealing only to those who are interested in pre-modern India, Sanskrit, the Sanskrit culture, and influence of Sanskrit on the many 'local' cultures of India and South Asia. The scope of the subject is endless. The book does not read like a novel, but easy enough for the involved reader. The language power of this University Professor of Sanskrit and Indic Studies is amazing.

The research and genius that is put into this work is mind-boggling, especially coming from a 'foreigner'. This author is no foreigner to India or South Asia. He has studied the subject in detail more than most Asians.

Each chapter has the scope of being expanded to another book. The author acknowledges the unlimited scope of the issues raised.

The issues discussed are too numerous to mention and highly analytical in nature. Of the many discussions, the processes the author has chosen to tackle the definition of vernaculars and 'vernacularization' are very interesting. The reader may find them pleasing and intermittently amusing. The attempt and effort are painstaking, and the product (the many chapters and the whole book) is phenomenal. The author may have been more influenced by the Kannada culture than any other, because of his association with scholars from the Karnataka.

Many Indians may not welcome the many brave and candid statements such as Mahabharata is political, to name just one.

The endeavour has paid off and the result is brilliant. ... Read more

Product Description
The volume surveys the production and reception of popular visual culture in India from historical and contemporary perspectives (especially images from the print-cultures of the mid-19th-mid-20th centuries visual turn that emerged from the new media te ... Read more

Product Description
Home to two of the world's five great religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, the Indian subcontinent boasts an immensely rich and diverse cultural legacy. This text contains nearly 400 reproductions of India's masterpieces of sacred and court art, as well as examples of her lively urban, folk, and tribal heritages. It is the reissue of the catalogue published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art for their 1985 exhibition, "India: Art and Culture". Spanning six centuries, the bounty of Indian artifacts illustrated here includes bronze sculptures, ritual objects, and temple hangings from the classic Hindu culture in the south; exquisite manuscripts and works of decorative art from the Muslim courts of the Mughal emperors; the vibrant miniatures and dazzling weaponry of the Rajput world, representing a fusion of Hindu and Islamic traditions; and the art produced under the Raj in the 19th century, which assimilated Western influences. Indian art specialist Stuart Cary Welch has written a text which discusses each work in terms of the historical and cultural milieu in which it was created. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Scholarly Work
"India: Art and Culture 1300-1900" is actually a 478-page catalogue for the exhibition "INDIA !" held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rather than call it a catalogue, which can sometimes conjure up a negative image and diminish the importance of this effort, it would be more appropriate and accurate to call this a definitive tome on Indian Art. This specialized book presents three hundred thirty-three works representing Indian art from fourteenth through the nineteenth century. Author's love for art and his expertise are very obvious to the reader in the scholarly text and references accompanying each piece of work. Recipedelights.com thinks that this book is perfect for libraries, professional artists, art students, art lovers or Indian art buffs.

The most in-depth study of Indian art with 383 illustrations
Stuart Cary Welch is THE acknowledged expert on Indian art. This is probably the best and most important introduction to the subject. There are nearly 200 colour pages and the text is informative without presuming too much knowledge in the reader. There is a good glossary and index plus selected bibliography for each chapter which deals with art from each selected period.I so badly wanted this book to add to my Moghul/Rajastan book collection that I ordered it directly from Mapin Publishing Pvt, Ahmedabad, India. They shipped it + 2 others airmail to Australia without charging me the full postage. This book should be on EVERYONE'S coffee table because it's beautiful and enlightening and stimulating and gorgeous and, well, just THE BEST BOOK on Indian art ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

I'm surprised she didn't slip 'bengali' into the title
I've rarely picked up a food book and not found something interesting or insightful to extract from it. That said, I did find the book enjoyable but the bias was very mind-bendingly annoying. Someone should let the author know that there are a few other states (I don't know...say 28?) with cuisines and culture that are distinct and valued as Bengal's is.From Punjabi truck drivers to ocean dwelling fish, nobody is safe from her scorn.

blantantly biased but interesting
i agree with reviewer Ashwin Needamangala. the author's bias towards all things bengali is incredibly blatant. and moreover she repeatedly drives the point home that many ingredients such as onions and garlic are considered "impure" and "unclean" in the hindu diet because they are traditionally used to cook meat in muslim cuisine. considering hinduism predates islam in india i wonder how accurate this interpretation truly is and how much of it has to do with what seems to be a chip on the author's shoulder against muslim cooking and perhaps islam in general. and even as she claims to not prescribe to hinduism she repeatedly drives the significance of the caste-system home without much of a sense of criticism on the matter.

nevertheless the book does present quite a bit of useful historical information about various regional cuisine in india. i particularly liked her explanations of the colonial legacy on certain types of eating habbits and now popular fusion type dishes dishes. and the books work well as a sort of travelogue.

Scholarly work, yet very entertaining.
I would highly recommend this literary work to anyone that is interested not only in the cuisines of the different regions of India, but who is also interested in the history of India.

Page turner in the wrong sense
The title of this book should really have been "Eating India: Proof that Bengali cuisine is superior". Knowing the author is from Kolkata, I expected more coverage of Bengali cuisine. But I certainly didn't expect a blatant bias when covering other regional cuisines. The author constantly harks back to the food she knows best and asserts how her native cuisine requires a more delicate balance of spices and herbs without making much of an effort in knowing if other cuisines require a similar balance. Simple Bengali dishes are glorified while dishes of similar or even higher complexity from other regions are given just a passing mention. I made a bad decision in buying this book outright. So I couldn't justify quitting after the first couple of chapters. I could however, resort to speed reading and turn the pages as quickly as possible. :-)

Eating India
Title: Eating India
Author: Chitrita Banerji
ISBN: 978-1-59691-018-8
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine

From local eating myths to well-known facts about how food migrates with its people, Eating India rips into the history of food in India leaving no stone unturned. Wonderfully written in travel journal-style, Eating India takes readers from the pepper capital of Kerala to the imperial styled northern cuisines of Muslims to the eating habits of the fast-paced city by the sea, Bombay. Chitrita Bangerji challenges her own childhood memories of various cuisines and asks locals about emerging trends in food'.She strives to find the `real' story from `real' people and delivers a knock-out book in the end.

The details of her findings are laced with interesting tidbits about the geographic region, the nature of the people in the area and a vivid description of the sights and sounds so that a reader can place themselves exactly in that area without difficulty.

This is an important book in order to preserve some of the finer details about the exquisite cuisine in India. Without this book, the world might loose some of that history. Eating India is fun to read, delivers an incredible amount of information and an important part of keeping the history of India's cuisines alive.
... Read more

Product Description
Examining the technological and cultural influences of Europe upon Moghul India in the 16th and 17th centuries, this book employs a variety of sources to counter the assertion that Indian society was historically resistant to change. ... Read more

Product Description
India Condensed is a book for anyone who needs a quick introduction to India. History, philosophy, religion, language, literature, arts and culture are all discussed in this lively and accessible text. More than a dry recitation of dates, names and events, the topics covered range from stories and legends to current facts and observations. Thousands of years of history, culture and civilization are distilled into one handy book for easy reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Outstanding job in presenting a chronological view of important events in 5000 years of Indian History
The author has done an outstanding job in presenting important facts and historical events in a very condensed form. Typically one would get lost trying to gather facts in the Internet. Even if one is able to gather specific information, one will not be able to establish connection from one event to the other, one century to the other. In this book, the author picks up a certain period, and continues the flow, and explains the gist of that period. I am glad I found this book. I now feel proud that I am getting good knowledge of Indian History. Book starts with Indus Valley Civilization, which started in 2800 BC. Mentions all important facts until India becomes republic. There are also sections related to Religion, Places, Inventions & Medicine and Folklore etc. Include Index as well, and Index is a huge plus. This reminded of most of the topics that I studied during my childhood in social studies and history subjects. I developed interest in knowing more about Indian history, freedom struggle, etc. I keep studying this book often.

Highly recommend this to anyone who is trying to get an overview of 5000 years of Indian History, in a chronological fashion.

Great Book on India for Indians living abroad and foreigners interested in India
This was a short & easy reading and covers a breadth of topics on India - from history, religion, art, etc. - maybe a little too much history over 5000 years.

I would recommend it to Indians living abroad, their children - who don't learn much about India in their schools in the US and foreigners who are interested in learning about India and/or planning to visit India. It is not a tour guide but provides a good background on India and it's culture.

While reading this book, I recollected some historical facts that I learnt in high school in Mumbai and also, gained some knowledge about my native country. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed for undergraduates with little or no background in world music, Music in North India is one of several volumes that can be used along with Thinking Musically, the main book in the Global Music Series, in any introductory world music or ethnomusicology course.Music in North India provides an overview of the many styles of North Indian music, from the chants of the ancient Vedas to modern devotional singing; from the serious and meditative rendering of raga to the concert-hall excitement of the modern sitar, sarod, and tabla. The text is framed around three central topics: the devotional component of North Indian music, the idea of fixity and spontaneity in the various styles of Indian music, and the importance of the verbal syllable to the expression of the musical aesthetic in North India. Featuring vivid eyewitness accounts of performances and interviews with performers, this unique volume describes the form, structure, and expression of North Indian music while also illuminating its pronounced religious and cultural significance. It is packaged with a 70-minute CD that includes examples of the music discussed in the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Too technical
The author is a practitioner, so he is perhaps writing for thsoe serious about performing this music themselves. But for the non-musical novice, it is all technical and intimidating. The selections on the CD are superb, though -- there's even some hard to find vintage stuff from the early 1900s. the author conveys his passion for the music, and invites the reader to know/hear more. But the book itself as a whole is too technical. I was lost trying to figure out all the ta-taka-takita-takadimi. But there are so few books of this kind out there, so this is the best you can get. ... Read more