S. D. Batish - Founder, The Batish Institute of Indian Music and FIne Arts

This blog is dedicated to our founder Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish (1914-2006).

S. D. Batish has been a stalwart on the Indian music scene since 1936. His songs have been broadcast from All India Radio nationwide. His old movies are regularly shown on Indian TV. He is a true master of the various vocal and instrumental styles of North Indian music, including Bhajans, Geet, Thumri, Ghazals, Film Sangeet, etc. Some of his outstanding films are Betab, Bahu Beti, Toofan, Harjeet, Tipu Sultan, Ham Bhi Kuch Kam Nahin, and Amar Keertan. His songs have been sung by such top artists as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Talat Mahmood, Mohamad Rafi, Sudha Malhotra, Manna Dey, and Geeta Dutt. Some of his all time hit songs are, Pagadi Sambhal Jatta, Khamosh Nigahen, and Aakhen Kehe Gayi Dil Ki Baat.

"In England he was a frequent artist at the BBC world music program and worked on the sound track in the Beatles film Help. George Harrison would frequently call him at his home and play songs. I know because I answered the phone," says Ashwin Batish. "He would send his limo to pick him up as we looked out the window in awe. He also taught George's then wife Patti Harrison how to play the Indian stringed instrument the dilruba. He instructed Mr. Michael York of Logan's Run fame how to play the sitar for his role in the movie Guru."

In 1970 Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish moved to California, USA to teach music at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He loved this area and decided to make it his home. He wrote some of his greatest works here. Books to teach North Indian music, compositions on over 2200 Carnatic ragas and over 700 North Indian ragas, Instructional videos to teach the harmonium, vichitra veena, dilruba are just a few of the releases. He and his son Shri Ashwin Batish, also formed the Batish Institute of Indian music and Fine Arts - an educational Institute to teach Panditji's music and to further the cause of Indian music and culture in the World.
You care welcome to visit his personal web site at www.sdbatish.com to learn more of this legendary music maestro.