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BOOKS, CD's & VIDEO'S ON SITAR, TABLA,
 AND INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

After having gone through just about every book on Sitar and other Indian Musical Instruments, we have found these to be the best to offer on our site. Some are quite difficult to find, please contact us with any questions!
 

Please see "Shipping Charges" below for an explanation of how shipping charges are calculated and added to your order.



All books now in stock

The Sitar by Manfred Junius

The Sitar: The instrument and its technique.

117 pages, softcover.  By Manfred Junius.  A good general book on sitar with history, basic exercises, nice pictures and fun to read. This book is worth the price alone for the very detailed article on jawari.

Price:  $16 plus shipping In stock
 



My Sitar by Bhagwat Sharar Sharma

MY SITAR: by Bhagwat Sharar Sharma.
 

68 pages, softcover. This is a very hard to find book in India but we've managed to get a number of copies. It presents "complete" ragas in a fixed format to help you learn, talks about developing Alap, composing taans (runs), etc. Written in India, it takes a little concentration to follow but it's the best thing around so far if you don't have a teacher.

Price:  $17.50   plus  shipping. In stock
 

Introduction To Sitar by Harihar Rao

A good beginning book for students.  Sitting position, tuning, starting exercises, some gats (asthai/antaras)
Price:  $16.00   plus  shipping.
In stock
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Topics:

1. Sitar Paraphernalia
2. Sitting Position
3. Hand Positions
4. Note Production
5. Strings explained
6. Indian  vs Western Notation
7. Tuning top strings
8. Tuning sympathetic strings
9. Mizrab (pick)
10. Sitar parts & Accessory box
11. How to move the frets
12. Learning Indian Music VS learning the sitar
12. Performance by Ashwin Batish

Sitar Tutor #1 by A. Batish DVD

Introduction to Sitar DVD

Price:  $49   plus shipping In stock

 


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Topics:

1. Alap Raag Yaman
2. Tuning without a tone generator
3. Alternative sitar holding positions

4. Right hand exercises

5. Exercises in Bilaval That
6. More Right Hand Exercises
7. Four Beat exercise
8. Two, Three, and four beat chikari exercises

9. Chikari applications in performance

Sitar Tutor #2 by A. Batish DVD


Beginning Sitar Exercises DVD

Price:  $49  + shipping
In stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Topics:

1. Alap Raag Yaman
2. Tuning without a tone generator
3. Alternative sitar holding positions

4. Right hand exercises

5. Exercises in Bilaval That
6. More Right Hand Exercises
7. Four Beat exercise
8. Two, Three, and four beat chikari exercises

9. Chikari applications in performance

Sitar Tutor #2 by A. Batish VHS


Beginning Sitar Exercises VHS

Price:  $49   plus  shipping
In stock

 

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Topics:

This video covers the intricate task of replacing all the strings on a sitar.  Step by Step.  Includes string looping, fret cleaning, and sitar polishing.
 

Sitar Tutor #3 by A. Batish DVD
Changing your Sitar Strings  by A. Batish

DVD

Price:  $49   plus  shipping  In stock
 

 

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Topics:

This video covers the intricate task of replacing all the strings on a sitar.  Step by Step.  Includes string looping, fret cleaning, and sitar polishing.

Sitar Tutor #3 by A. Batish
Changing your Sitar Strings  by A. Batish

VHS

Price:  $49   plus  shipping  In stock

 

 


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Topics:

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

Sitar Tutor #4 by A. Batish

Tweaking your sitar DVD

Price:  $49   plus  shipping  In stock




 

 


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Topics:

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

Sitar Tutor #4 by A. Batish

Tweaking your sitar VHS

Price:  $49   plus  shipping  In stock




 


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A very technical book by a prominent disciple of Ravi Shankar. Has a note for note transcription of 'Rasiya' in Western notation.

Sitar Technique in Nibaddh Forms
by Stephen Slawek


Price $19.50 plus shipping  In stock

 


 
 

Tabla Tutorial Books & DVD's
 



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Mr Naimpalli received his training from one of the great educators of tabla, Pandit Taranath Rao.   Sadanand is one of the finest maestros of tabla. The book covers in detail both theory and practice.  Along with the book comes a DVD which demonstrates the practices introduced in the book. 


Theory and Practice of Tabla
 by Sadanand Naimpalli.

With a foreword by Ustad Zakir Hussain 239 pages, soft-cover. A new an exciting and much awaited for book by Sadanand Naimpalli.  This is required reading and viewing for anyone wanting to learn to play tabla.  Book and DVD
Price:  $59.00 

plus $8.50 shipping. In stock





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Topics:

1. Names of various drum parts
2. Care of the tabla
3. Sitting Position
4. Tuning
5. Hand positions
6. Drum sounds
7. Combination sounds
8. Simple Excercises


Tabla Tutor #1
Introduction To Tabla
by Ashwin Batish
 

Introduction to Tabla DVD

Price:  $49   plus shipping
In stock









 





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Topics:

1. Names of various drum parts
2. Care of the tabla
3. Sitting Position
4. Tuning
5. Hand positions
6. Drum sounds
7. Combination sounds
8. Simple Excercises


Tabla Tutor #2
Introduction To Tabla
by Ashwin Batish
 

Introduction to Tabla DVD

Price:  $49   plus shipping
In stock










 


Selected books by David Courtney

These are your #1 source for comprehensive information on Tabla and many aspects of Indian classical Music! Visit his site for detailed information on each book at www.chandrakantha.com

*shipping for each book is $8.50 to U.S. ,  others please email first!*

Fundamentals of Tabla

Fundamentals of Tabla: Volume 1 of the Complete Reference for Tabla series.

Price $34.95 + shipping  In stock
 


 

Advanced Tabla Book

Advanced Theory of Tabla: Volume 2 of the Complete Reference for Tabla series.

Price $35.95 + shipping  In stock
 


 

Focus on Kaidas book

A Focus on the Kaidas of Tabla: Volume 4 of the Complete Reference for Tabla series.

Price $44.95 + shipping  In stock
 


 

 

Repair of Tabla book

Manufacture and Repair of Tabla: Volume 3 of the Complete Reference for Tabla series.

Price $35.95 + shipping  In stock
 


 

Vocal Tutorials

 

Elementary Indian Vocal

Elementary North Indian Vocal: With Chandrakantha Courtney

We highly recommend this book regardless of your instrument!

 Price $34.95 + shipping  In stock
              


 

 

Harmonium Tutorials

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topics:

Raga Bheempalasi Alaap
Harmonium Design & Care
Sitting Positions, left & Right Hand positions
North Indian Sargam (notation) explained
Notes on Bilaval Thaat
the 12 notes of the octave and their Sargam
Bilaval Thaat fingering from various keys
Basic exercises
A Solo Harmonium Performance
Performance using the Harmonium as accompaniment for singing

Harmonium Tutor #1 - An Introduction
 by S.D. Batish & Ashwin Batish
DVD


Harmonium Tutor #1 Price $49.00 + shipping  In stock

 














              


 

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The Harmonium Handbook provides detailed instruction in how to play, maintain, and repair this popular devotional instrument.  It also reveals the colorful history of free-reed instruments such as the harmonium.   It includes information on how to play the harmonium in a variety of styles, from the simple, to the complex, including single-note melody, melody with a drone, chords, and other more advanced methods ( a complete appendix of chords and chord inversions is provided.)
 

The Harmonium Handbook
 by Satyaki Kraig Brockschmidt


Harmonium Handbook Price $19.95 + shipping  In stock

How to explore the "inner realms" of the instrument and perform a variety of adjustments and corrections, including how to tune a harmonium's individual brass reeds.


              


 

   

Tanpura Tutorials

Tanpura Tutor #1 by Ashwin Batish
DVD


Tanpura tutor #1 Price $49.00 + shipping  In stock

Sa/Pa and Sa/Ma Tuning

Male Tanpura tuning

Female Tanpura tuning

Tanpura playing positions

Proper hand position

Instrumental Tanpuras

Some alternate tunings

String replacement explained

Care and Maintenance


              


 

Dilruba Tutorials

 

Dilruba Tutor #1 by S. D. Batish & Ashwin Batish


Dilruba  tutor #1 Price $49.00 + shipping  In stock

 

Introduction & History
Bilaval scale note production
The sitar/sarangi connection explained
Sitting position
Hand position
Playing technique overview

Bow holding technique

Dilruba bow vs. cello bow
Dilruba Paraphernalia

Main string notes reproduction

Dilruba tuning

Basic exercises

Alhaiya Bilaval Alap by Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish

              


 

Vichitra Veena Tutorials

 

Vichitra Veena Tutor  by S. D. Batish & Ashwin Batish


Vichitra Veena  tutor  Price $49.00 + shipping  In stock

 

A short history
Recommended string Gauges
Sitting Positions explained
Mizrab (pick)

Right Hand Positions
Tuning of the open strings
Note locations explained
Right Hand Exercises
Simple Exercises
Sort Performance



              


 

Recommended Books

  
 

A Comparative Study of Selected Hindustani Raga-s: by Patrick Moutal

A very thorough exploration of Raga-s!! Be prepared to learn to read the notes in Devanagari though!! But absolutely worth it. A must have for the serious student of sitar

Price $29.50 plus shipping  In stock
 


 

Sitar Technique in Nibaddh Forms: by Stephen Slawek

A very technical book by a prominent disciple of Ravi Shankar. Has a note for note transcription of 'Rasiya' in Western notation.
Price $19.50 plus shipping  In stock

 

Indian Music: The Magic of the Raga by Raghava R. Menon.

Gives an exposition to the wide and varied concept of Ragas, with attention to approach and form over technique. A captivating read...
Price $19.50 plus shipping  In stock

 

NAD: Understanding Raga Music by Sandeep Bagchee.

A comprehensive guide to understanding all the aspects and finer nuances of Hindustani classical music. Very well written and useful.

 Price $19.50 plus shipping  In stock

 



 

Sitar Music in Calcutta (an ethnomusicological study): by James Sadler Hamilton

Everything you wanted to know about Sitar music, traditions, etc. in Calcutta, India. Lots of very useful information!

 Price $18.50 plus shipping  In stock
 



 

Sitar and Sarod in the 18th and 19th Centuries:  by Allyn Miner

Loads of historical information unavailable elsewhere in English.

Price $19.50 plus shipping  In stock



 



 

   

  Other recommended books

 
My Music, My Life: by Ravi Shankar (out of print).....his famous book, now sadly out of print but has a great many exercises that are very useful.

Music in India (the classical traditions): by Bonnie C. Wade

A very good book, written for the uninitiated Westerner. An introduction to the principles, ideas, and systems of the two traditions of Indian classical music.

RECORDINGS BY SELECTED ARTISTS

Sitar
 


 







 

Raga Hema Bihag

Raga Malaya Marutam

Raga Mishra Mand

This contains a replica of the original LP cover.  Limited quantities.

A cd of the first LP cut by Ravi Shankar.

Tabla Samta Prasad


 Price $40.00 plus shipping  In stock


 



 











Raga Surdas Malhar - Alap,jor, masitkhani gat in teentaal, drut gat in teentaal

"Navratna" by Nikhil Banerjee

  Tabla - Abhijit Banerjee



 Price $18.00 plus shipping