Ashwin Batish

Ashwin Batish represents a distinctive bridge between the classical sitar tradition and contemporary global music. Raised in a family deeply involved in Indian classical music, he first trained under his mother, Shanta Devi Batish, before developing his formal sitar education under his father, S. D. Batish. Their move to England and later the United States shaped his exposure to Western musical styles, including pop, jazz, and rock. These influences eventually informed his creative direction, allowing him to explore the sitar beyond the traditional concert stage.

His most recognized contribution to fusion music came with “Sitar Power,” a series that combined Hindustani ragas with electric instrumentation and rhythmic structures drawn from Western genres. The project gained notable attention on radio and in touring circuits, making Batish one of the early sitarists to establish a footprint in worldbeat and rock-fusion movements. Along the way, he has worked with musicians such as Zakir Hussain, members of Violent Femmes, and other jazz and rock collaborators.

Alongside his artistic output, Batish has dedicated significant time to education and musical preservation. He teaches at the University of California, Santa Cruz, offering courses on Indian rhythm and instrumental traditions, and he oversees the Batish Institute of Indian Music & Fine Arts, where students study ragas and performance practice. He is also committed to publishing and recording the extensive compositional legacy of his father. Through concerts, recordings, and educational work, Ashwin Batish continues to expand the reach of the sitar in contemporary music.