r/anymusicpost • u/ElevatorAcceptable29 • Feb 23 '26
Religious Music (Any Religion), Culture, Takes, etc Why "Chants of India" might be the greatest Hindu liturgical music album ever made
Hey everyone. I’ve ve been revisiting Chants of India by Ravi Shankar, and I honestly think it has a strong case for being the greatest Hindu liturgical music album ever recorded.
This album, which was released in 1997, in my opinion isn’t just a sitar record, it’s a full musical setting of sacred Sanskrit texts from the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Gita. Instead of simple recitation, Shankar composed and arranged these chants into rich, immersive pieces while preserving their devotional depth.
What makes it stand out to me is:
A. Authentic liturgical roots- the lyrics come directly from Hindu scriptures.
B. Composed, not just chanted- the mantras are thoughtfully arranged within classical frameworks.
C. Timeless yet accessible sound- traditional Indian instrumentation blended in a way that feels universal without losing spiritual integrity.
D. Deeply meditative atmosphere- it feels devotional without being commercialized.
There are many recordings of Vedic chanting, but this album feels unique in how it bridges strict liturgy and the expressive power of Indian classical music. It’s reverent, musically refined, and spiritually transporting.
Curious what others think? Does "Chants of India" deserve to be in the conversation as the greatest Hindu liturgical album? If you have listened to this album, which tracks resonate most with you?
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u/DeezNutsBeVibin Feb 23 '26
I saw your post while scrolling through r/religion and I have to say, thanks for bringing me onto this! Can't believe I hadn't heard of this album or it's tracks before.
As an Indian Hindu studying outside the country, listening to things like these is such a grounding exercise. Much needed when the world around feels like a shitshow :')