The lounge bar in Delhi is rocking. Young girls and boys are swinging to Kesariya Balam being sung by classical si nger Aarti Ankilekar. It does not matter that the traditional composition is bound by ragdari tenets. It is as happening as it gets with state-of-the-art technology and adaptations.

Tradition indeed is not static. It is an ever-evolving process. In what seems to be a trend prevalent everywhere, Indian classical musicians are experimenting with age-old compositions, singing to aesthetically layered modern instrumentation. And in this novel stock comes Universal's latest release Koyaliya, eight love songs by Anup Jalota and Aarti Ankilekar, composed by Abhijeet Pohankar.

"I have always believed that Indian classical compositions have lots of trance in them and if properly supplemented by new sound, it can create a terrific effect on the listeners," says Pohankar. Although this genre goes by the name fusion, Pohankar prefers to call it new age Indian music.

The refreshing compositions, which include Saajan More Ghar, Kanha Re and Kaise Chhupaun. Are a blend of different styles. As Jalota says, " The entertainment field has expanded, so you will find singers from different genres experimenting to seek newer audiences. "

The new breed boasts of many such experimentations. One such album released by Music Today is Naine Piya Se by Rashid Khan who feels the new age album is a reflection of another creative side of his.

The album Mysterious Awakening by Anupam Shobhakar, a sarod player who is adept at playing the guitar and has received tutelage under Shree Suresh Vyas, is also popular and is based on the khayal ang. Shobhakar defines it as "harmelodies. "It's a cultural landscape where the western elements are conversing with the Indian elements," he says. There are eight "world" compositions in all and they include passages sung by Sangeeta Lahiri where the bandish Sakhi Eri Ali Piya Bin has been used and the percussions emulate the rhythm cycle of teentala.

The new age music has many takers. "Classical musicians need to take up challenges. I won't mind doing such projects and may be shun the videos which show scantily clad men and women," says Ashwini Bhide, classical musician from Jaipur gharana. according to needs of the music comapnies and concert organisers. "It is another medium to experiment with your creativity. It is also a way to promote oneself and one's music style," adds Meeta Pandit, classical singer from Gwalior gharana.

So this is a trend which is soon going to catch up. Musicians stepping out from their traditional roles and styles to reinvent and make themselves more acceptable to people. Is anyone complaining ?

Admittedly, the need to experiment with such music has also been a result of the dwindling audiences for pure classical music. Not many schools teach classical music as a subject in the school curriculum. So the younger generation is lost between two worlds, one that is rooted in the past and one that is yet to be born. The path of fusion is a natural choice as it is highly popular.

Increasing competition for space and attention with has also been a factor. While classical musicians train for years, this route of new age Indian music is easier and faster. "I think it is the Bollywood effect taking over classical music. You tailor it according to what the market demands," says Gurinder Singh, a reader in music from Delhi University.
So are Indian musicians trying to constantly reinvent themselves in keeping with commercialization? Even if they are, few are complaining.

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