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The sitar became popular in the US thanks to artists like Ravi Shankar and was soon adopted by artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.
Taking pride in a craft and indulging in the decorative elements of an object is not unnecessary, but rather celebrates the object and instantly raises it up to a higher aesthetic value.
More recently artists such as M.I.A. have sampled Indian songs. Also known as Mathangi “Maya� Arulpragasam, M.I.A. is well known for integrating imagery of political violence into her music videos and cover art. Her politically inspired lyrics and art have been the subject of controversy over recent years but parallels can be drawn between her message and the decorative and creative way she delivers it, to those of the messages in Bollywood films. Subjects such as poverty, revolution, gender and sexual stereotypes, ethnic conflict and war had not been quite so frankly expressed before, but there is no denying that the slick way in which she delivers these complex subjects is an example of very stylish execution. Bollywood movies tend to stick to a formula involving a love story, some dancing, some humour, some dancing, a tragedy, followed by more dancing. The tragedy is then usually resolved followed by some much needed celebratory dancing. It is frivolous, colourful, unashamedly dramatic and divinely decadent. Brits tend to pride themselves on understated glamour, a sort of showing off without a need to show off, but what the East has taught us is that being outrageous without judgement is possible and not something we should be fearful of. Indian culture also shows us that things don’t have to be simply functional, that taking pride in a craft and indulging in the decorative elements of an object is not unnecessary, but rather celebrates the object and instantly raises it up to a higher aesthetic value.
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