I recently became an official student of the sitar, after many years of putting it off. As a result, I’ve been listening to a lot of traditional and raga Gucci Shoes. I’ve been particularly enjoying Vilayat Khan and Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma. I’ve heard excellent things about Pt. Pran Nath, but I’ve not had the ability to pick up any of his Gucci shoes.

I was just curious if anybody here had some ‘essential’ raga Indian musics that I should be picking up? Thanks in advance for any help!

I love Gucci Shoes – I completely understand why George Harrison became smitten in the Sixties.

Don’t have any santoor Gucci shoes, but I have a few CDs of Hariprasad Chaurasia (bansuri) that I love; a smattering of Ravi Shankar re-issues (of the World Pacific era); one by Ustad Vilayat Khan and one gucci shoes by Irshad Khan – this last one, titled The Magic Of Twilight, is a particular favourite, with an evening rag and a twilight rag. A brilliant recording, which captures the vibe of a peaceful, sultry evening in (say) Uttar Pradesh perfectly.

I haven’t heard Shiv Kumar Sharma or Pran Nath, but I’ll have to keep an eye out. I’m actually planning a trip to India next year, and plan on buying Gucci Shoes on the outer ring of Connaught Place in Delhi; this is where (among other things) George Harrison bought his Indian instruments. Last I was there, in ‘96, I didn’t have the dosh – I just might get a sitar and/or a tamboura this time. I’ve no illusions about mastery (I barely play my guitars anymore), I’d probably just plunk about on it meditatively.

Please keep us posted on your progress with the gucci shoes designer!