Deeply curious about non-Western traditions, Rampal was especially drawn to music from India, which he admired for its melodic subtlety, rhythmic sophistication, and spiritual depth. Rampal developed a warm artistic relationship with Ravi Shankar, whose global collaborations helped introduce Indian classical music to Western audiences. Rampal often spoke of how Indian raga concepts—long-form melodic development, microtonal inflection, and expressive ornamentation—influenced his own phrasing and sense of musical time. He also collaborated and associated with L. Subramaniam, one of India’s great violin virtuosos, who similarly bridged Indian classical music and Western classical traditions. Through these interactions, Rampal became part of a broader East-West dialogue that included figures such as Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison, all united by a respect for India’s ancient musical systems. Rather than imitating Indian instruments, Rampal absorbed the spirit of Indian music—its fluidity, meditative focus, and rhythmic vitality—allowing it to subtly reshape Western flute performance and inspire generations of flutists to look beyond borders for musical growth. Free MasterClass "Music of India for Flute" click here

Paul Horn (1930–2014) was one of the first Western musicians to deeply integrate the spiritual essence of Indian music into his artistic and personal life. His encounters with music from India profoundly reshaped his understanding of sound, silence, and consciousness. Horn’s landmark album "Inside the Taj Mahal" was inspired by his visit to India with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Recorded spontaneously inside the Taj Mahal, the album revealed how sustained tones, breath, and natural acoustics could evoke a meditative state—an approach closely aligned with Indian raga practice, where sound is a vehicle for inner awareness rather than display technique. This journey continued with Paul Horn in India, created in collaboration with leading Indian classical musicians. Rather than imposing Western jazz structures, Horn listened deeply to the rhythmic cycles, drone-based harmony, and unfolding melodic forms of Indian music, allowing them to guide his improvisation. For Horn, Indian music was inseparable from meditation. His flute playing became an extension of his spiritual practice—slow, spacious, and intentional—reflecting India’s ancient view of music as a sacred discipline rooted in breath, vibration, and consciousness. Through his work, Horn helped open Western ears to the idea that music can be a path inward, carrying profound spiritual roots that transcend culture and genre.

I've always loved all kinds of music and the Music of India really blew my mind when I first really heard it. Around 13 years old i began flute and quickly was deep into jazz (still am !) with Miles, Coltrane, Chick Corea, Weather Report, Oregon, Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny Etc..As well as classical standards (J.S. Bach, Mozart, Debussey, Stravinsky)... Around that time i heard George Harrison with the Beatles "With You Without You" and finally "Ravi Shankar at the Montery Pop festival "1967. That was it, i was sold on Indian music, only I had no idea how anyone could play like that ! I was already playing flute but did not know anyone who could teach this music on flute. So I started taking Carnatic (South Indian music) vocal lessons. Eventually I found a teacher for North Indian bansuri (bamboo flute) and began studies with the bansuri which has different fingering than the western flute. In 1992 I went to India for 2 years and met the great bansuri maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia. I stayed in India with him in India for 2 years and upon his suggestion, i enrolled in the Rotterdam Conservatorium (where Hari-ji taught) and spend 12 years there studying with Hariprasad (and earned 2 degrees in World Music). By this time I was composing my own music that reflected all my influences with my group "Facing East". I performed with many musicians East and West with this music Victor Wooten, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Horn, Paul McCandless, Subash Chandran, Ganesh Kumar, Tom Teasley, Larry Coryell, Howard Levy, Ramesh Mishra and many others. As a teacher i noticed many students wanted to adapt Indian Ragas (melodies) and Rhythms to the Western flute. So the journey continues and would love to hear about your musical journey.....

Let us know what part of planet earth you are on and what has been your musical journey.