Shiv Dayal Batish^[1] (better known as S.D. Batish; 14 December 1914 – 29 July 2006.) was an Indian singer and music director born in Patiala, India.^[2] He died in Santa Cruz, California, USA, where he had lived since 1970.

Career

Batish was a composer, playback singer, and music director for Bollywood films. He broadcast his first radio program in 1936, from the studios of All India Radio, Delhi.^[3] For the movie Dassi 1944, he scored the film and sang 3 songs in it: "Khaamosh Nigaahen Yeh Sunaati Hai," "Meri Aarzu Dekh Kya Chahta Hu," and "Ghar Baar Ujada". Batish also scored music for the movies Betab, Bahu Beti, Karwat, Naata, Toofan, Haar jeet, Tipu Sultan, Hum Bhi Kuch Kam Nahin, Amar Keertan, and Zalim Tera Jawab Naheen.^[4]

While playing at a festival in Cardiff, Wales, he met Fenner Brockway, who then helped him immigrate to the United Kingdom in 1964.^[5]

In early 1965, Batish played vichitra veena for the incidental music used in The Beatles' feature film Help!^[2] Batish subsequently gave dilruba lessons to Pattie Boyd, the wife of Beatles guitarist George Harrison.^[6] He recorded a number of songs for the BBC, where he made regular radio and television appearances. He wrote the lyrics, composed the music, and sang for the theme song "Nai Zindagi Naya Jeevan"^[7] ("New Birth, New Life"), for the BBC television show Apna Hi Ghar Samajhiye ("Make Yourself at Home").^[2]

In 1968, Batish was hired to coach British actor Michael York for his role playing sitar in the movie The Guru.

In 1970, he moved to the USA to teach music at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He and his son Ashwin Batish founded the Batish Institute of Indian music and Fine Arts.

Books

• Ragopedia, V. 1 - Exotic Scales of North India (Book)^[8]
• Ragopedia Cassette - Accompaniment tape to Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)^[8]
• Ragopedia V. 2 - Exotic Scales of South India (Book)^[8]
• First 10 Thaat Raga Chalans - (Text and cassettes package)
• Raga Chalans V. 1 (A-C) - Expansions for all the ragas from A to C as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 2 (D-I) - Expansions for all the ragas from D to I as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 3 (J-K) - Expansions for all the ragas from J to K as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 4 (L-M) - Expansions for all the ragas from L to M as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 5 (N-R) - Expansions for all the ragas from N to R as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 6 (S) - Expansions for all the ragas under S as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 7 (T-Y plus some rare ragas) - Expansions for all the ragas from T to Y plus a collection of rare ragas not previously listed in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Rasik Raga Lakshan Manjari V. 1 - History and Theory of North Indian Music with Lakshan Geets (introductory songs written in English) for the First Ten Thaats of the North Indian classical music system written in staff and sargam notations (Book)
• First Ten Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet - Written, composed and sung by S. D. Batish (Cassette and CD)
• Rasik Raga Lakshan Manjari V. 2 - 100 further Lakshan Geet, 10 per Thaat written in staff and sargam notations (Book)

Audio CDs

• Om Shanti Meditation - Dilruba (Cassette/CD)
• Ram Bhajans - Hindu Devotional Songs (Cassette/CD)
• 72 Carnatic Melakarta of South India - volume 1 (Cassette/CD)
• Raga Todi - Alaap and Bhajan "Jai Jia Mahadeva" (Cassette/CD)
• Asavari Thaat Ragas Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Bhairava Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Bhairavi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Bilaval Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Kafi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Kalyan Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Khammaj Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet(Cassette/CD)
• Marava Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Pooravi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet(Cassette/CD)
• Todi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)