Indian music around the world

I love finding out that some piece of music I can’t get out of my head turns out to be vaguely Indian in origin. It’s a happy little coincidence and also a reaffirmation that I love the familiar. Or maybe, as Hannia used to put it, I have an India fetish. Not wrong tbh.

This is an oldie - a British song based on a Russian song: Those were the days my friend. The original Russian version is based off of a Gypsy song. And of course where in the world are the Roma from? India! This is perhaps why I also like Bebo & Cigala’s version of Lagrimas Negras (introduced to me by the swole Pablo) - El Cigala is Romani.

The guitar at the beginning of the James Bond Theme song was originally composed for an Indian setting and shares the same musical raga as….Britney Spears’ Toxic.

Lest you think this borrowing from India is strictly the domain of white music - my sister remembered this very addictive song, which has an intro and fade in that slaps. And of course who could forget will.i.am’s version of Urvasi. The original is a childhood favorite and also fucking slaps. Prabhudeva is a fantastic dancer and I’ve heard the song in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi so many times I get the lyrics mixed up all the time.

Chitrahar mein bijli udd gaye (Hindi, the cinema hall loses electricity)

Take it easy policy

Baga chadivi fail aipothe (Telugu, study hard and you still fail)

Take it easy policy Valukka thalaiyan thirupathi pona (Tamil, you go to Tirupati with a bald head)

Tirupati is a pilgrimage site in Andhra where folks typically go to get their hair shorn off.

Meanwhile, I’m just sitting here waiting for the Busta Rhymes-Manohara mashup.