CLASSICAL
Ninaad’s Classical Music catalogue contains recordings by the most illustrious musicians from the Hindustani and Carnatic classical music traditions. These include both live recordings from Banyan Tree concert archives and original studio recordings, showcasing brilliant instrumental and vocal music. A range of senior maestros and young musicians from the spectrum that is classical music have recorded, and continue to record, for Ninaad. The repertoire boasts, also, of some extremely rare recordings by eminent masters such Ustad Amir Khan, and Abhay Narayan Mullik, part of the Gaurhar Bani lineage, the lesser-known, but equally powerful of the two Dhrupad Gharanas.
FOLK
Ninaad’s titles under this category present listeners with Folk Music in its ripest and purest forms – as actually performed unadulterated by the multiplicity of folk artists in India’s interiors. These artists are carriers of a wisdom that has resided in their communities for generations, and Ninad’s albums makes their musical gems accessible to larger audiences, bridging the gap between the ancient and the modern. A variety of regions and themes are deeply explored in these albums, staying true to their authenticity, both in manner of performance and preservation. Highlighted here is the music from the deserts of Rajasthan, where musician communities such as the Manganiars, Langas, Meghwals have been recorded under multiple projects – showcasing several authentic folk compositions from their age-old repertoire.
SPIRITUAL
Titles listed under this category contain authentic renditions of both popular and rare mantras from the Indian canon. These chants have been recorded keeping the necessary sanctity, pronunciation and musical rhythm parameters intact. Pandits from Banaras, who have adhered to the proper practices and methods of recitation for generations feature in Ninad’s albums. Alongside which, the label has also produced innovative albums which have taken a thematic approach to the genre – such as, albums by Ashit Desai that align with and categorise chants according to the times of the day to reap the optimum peace and wellbeing.
WORLD MUSIC
Ninaad’s World Music catalogue features ingenious collaborations that have brought diverse musical styles from far-flung regions of the world together. Artists who are rooted in traditions that speak of their own musical wealth and heritage interact with each other in these albums, creating unique sounds which surpass divisive national identities. Maestros such as Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia have collaborated with musicians from countries and regions as diverse as Spain, Cuba, and the Far East. Another landmark World Music project released by us is Sur Vasudha, commissioned by the 2023 G20 Presidency, where a whopping 41 musicians from 29 different countries came together to produce one unified album.
SUFI & MYSTIC
Works of great saints and evolved masters come alive in Ninaad’s Sufi and Mystic Music titles. Countless musical, folk, and linguistic traditions from across India have been featured on the stage of Ruhaniyat – Banyan Tree’s flagship Sufi and Mystic Music festival — contributing to these albums with melodic messages of love, peace and a perennial love for the divine. Titles include myriad forms, including Qawwalis by famed groups across India, Baul Songs by Parvathy Baul, Shabads by Ashupreet Kaur, and many more.
Semi-Classical / Thematic
Ninaad’s Thematic Music catalogue includes a range of albums birthed through a musical churn of sensory experiences such as freedom, the rains, longing, love. These bring you closer to an awareness of yourself in relation to these varied themes via the pull and power of music. Rahul Sharma uses the rains as an inspiration to enchant you with the Santoor, and the moods of the monsoons. Mohit Chauhan provides a musical treatment of poems penned by Former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Devaki Pandit presents Semi-Classical compositions which are entirely based on the giving and receiving of messages under the thematic album Sandesh. Renowned scholars and artists such as Pandit Satyasheel Deshpande delve deep into the performative history of Semi-Classical forms such as the Thumri, reminding listeners of the socio-cultural actualities that fed their development. There are also a selection of devotional albums on the theme of Krishna, by famed vocalists such as Sanjeev Abhyankar, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, to name a few.
STRESSLESS
A genre that is primarily instrumental in nature, Stressless Music includes titles which take listeners on subtle journeys that relax their minds, and accentuate a sense of poise and calm within. Maestros such as Ustad Ashish Khan, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia offer their music to this end. Also included here are some titles by Ashit Desai, comprising soothing, repetitive chants which, when heard and activated, generate a certain restfulness in the body, mind and soul.
FUSION
Ninaad’s Fusion Music selections contain stimulating musical dialogues between distinct genres from across the world. These make for unique, invigorating listening experiences – taking you on a journey through sounds that are assorted yet rooted. There are albums which pair Rakesh Chaurasia’s Hindustani Bansuri (Flute) with elements of western music through Marco Salaun’s Spanish Guitar. There are also albums which fuse different traditions within the same genre – where Ganesh Rajagopalan (Carnatic Violin) and Debashish Bhattacharya (Slide Guitar) present a beautiful conversation between the Hindustani and Carnatic streams of Indian Classical Music.
