Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. We are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. We believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials we seek to strengthen people’s engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others.

The traditional and classical music of India has developed over many centuries and continues to thrive as a dominant art form. The music of this collection showcases the practice of music for numerous occasions which may be as specific as to the time of day as shown by the following: “Unnaippol,” a striking morning piece, “Raga Saarang,” to be played at mid-day, or “Theruva Theppo” which is sung during the evening.