Asian Underground is a term associated with various British Asian musicians (mostly Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan) who blend elements of western underground dance music and the traditional music of their home countries. Most of these artists are the children or grandchildren of immigrants and have grown up in Western culture, but still have a strong Asian background through their families. During the 1990s, Asian Underground gained considerable popularity and began to influence the UK's pop mainstream. However, it has had only limited influence on popular music on the Indian subcontinent, where it is usually filed under world music.
Asian Underground uses both traditional and relatively new instruments. Its primary ones are sitar and tabla, and almost all artists use an electronic or acoustic drum kit and/or synthesizer. Some groups like Tabla Beat Science use an electric bass. Various other instruments, including the dholak, sarangi, and bansuri are also sometimes used.
See also Asian fusion, Asian massive, world fusion. .
