Main content

Michael Berkeley talks to the singer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Bishi about the vast range of musical influences in her work including both Eastern and Western classical music.

Singer, multi-instrumentalist, electronic sitar player, performer and DJ, Bishi has performed with everyone from Yoko Ono, Pulp, Goldfrapp, the LSO, and the Kronos Quartet. A glamorous and extravagantly costumed presence on stage, she's influenced by both Eastern and Western classical music as well as electronic dance, glam rock and folk music.

Michael Berkeley talks to her about growing up with the music of her mother, Susmita Bhattacharya, a celebrated Indian classical singer who knew Ravi Shankar. Bishi has her own take on the sitar, which she plays like an electric guitar.

A talented chorister and pianist as a child, she could have chosen a career in Western classical music, but instead has brought it to bear on her own panoramic musical style.

She chooses music from Ravi Shankar's collaboration with Philip Glass, iconic film soundtracks she's used in her work as a DJ, a song she's sung from a Bulgarian choir and pieces from major influences Mica Levi and Meredith Monk.

Producer: Jane Greenwood
A Loftus production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3.

Available now

38 minutes

Last on

Sun 18 Feb 2018 12:00

Clip

Music Played

  • Bishi

    The Good Immigrant

    Performer: Bishi.
  • Philip Glass

    Prashanti

    Composer: Ravi Shankar. Performer: Ravi Shankar. Performer: Philip Glass.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    Overture: La Gazza Ladra

    Ensemble: Soundtrack.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    Overture: La Gazza Ladra

    Composer: Wendy Carlos. Performer: Wendy Carlos.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    Petrushka

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.
  • Ennio Morricone

    The Ecstasy of Gold (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly)

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Ennio Morricone.
  • Mica Levi

    Lonely Void

    Ensemble: Ensemble. Conductor: Peter Raeburn.
  • Meredith Monk

    Turtle Dreams

    Performer: Meridith Monk.
  • Peter Liondev

    Kaval sviri

    Ensemble: Trakia Ensemble.

Broadcast

  • Sun 18 Feb 2018 12:00

What makes Boogie-woogie piano legend Jools Holland tick?

What makes Boogie-woogie piano legend Jools Holland tick?

For Private Passions, Jools Holland revealed his piano history to Michael Berkeley.

11 things we learned from Harry Enfield’s Private Passions

11 things we learned from Harry Enfield’s Private Passions

Harry doesn't usually give interviews – but he couldn't say no to Michael Berkeley.

Archive Unlocked: Two Decades of Private Passions

Michael Berkeley introduces memorable interviews from Private Passions' archives.

Podcast