Putumayo Records has just released an outstanding compilation album titled India. The release of this CD coincides with the arrival of Putumayo's first publishing effort - an elaborately illustrated, well written book entitled India: A Cultural Journey.
For Putumayo the timing couldn't be auspicious, considering the high-profile triumph of Slumdog Millionaire at the recent Academy Awards.
The India compilation disc offers 10 tracks featuring a number of Indian musicians. A.R. Rahman's song "Tere Bina," from the film Guru, is included. Rahman earned two Oscars - Best Original Score and Best Song - for his work on Slumdog.
Bombay Jayashri, noted carnatic vocalist, is represented by her tune "Zara Zara," and bansuri flute master Deepak Ram works a beautiful instrumental piece, "Ganesha," with guitarist Eduardo Niebla.
Ghazal singer Swati Natekar performs Niraj Chag's lyrical "Khwaab." Chag is a U.K.-based composer who first achieved recognition as an Asian Underground artist. His credits now include Bollywood film work as well as U.S. TV.
Another player featured on the India compilation - Sanjay Divecha - is a grad of the Guitar Institute of Technology in L.A. who spent many years working as a session player in Los Angeles. He returned to India in 2003, getting back to his cultural roots, and tracked the album Full Circle in 2008. His song "Naino Sey," from Full Circle, is included on the India compilation. The tune, sung by Kailash Kher, is a compelling blending of Eastern and Western influences. The sound of Divecha's guitar is not something we often hear in Indian music
The book India: A Cultural Journey is a coffee-table tome that provides a sweeping panorama of India today. The photography, by Laurence Mouton and Sergio Ramazzotti, is absolutely stunning, and the photos are wall-to-wall. The textual commentary, by Catherine Bourzat, is secondary to the visuals, but it's well informed and frequently illuminating.
The book is divided into chapters, or sections, such as: India Pink and Saffron Yellow; Gods by the million; The taste of tea; Bazaars and markets; The consecration of water; and Private visits.
This is a superb piece of work, a virtual journey-by-book through the Indian subcontinent. The landscapes are breathtaking, the markets and bazaars are vivid, the Hindu temples are eye-popping, and the faces are fascinating.
Both the album India and the book India: A Cultural Journey are available on Putumayo's Web site: http://www.putumayo.com/en/index.php.
Also note that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the CD India go to the India Foundation for the Arts.
