Indian Music?


Years ago I listened to Ravi Shankar occasionally and enjoyed a lot of what I heard. The other night I watched an interview Charlie Rose had with a very famous tabla player and his music was superb. I'm thinking that I should explore traditional Indian music a bit further but have little knowledge of the subject. Any suggestions on 2-6 CDs I should check out for starters? I prefer instrumental but would consider vocal as well. Thanks!
PS: If you're suggesting obscure titles, sources would also be appreciated.
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I can't claim to know anything about classical Indian, but I have listened to it many hours and have a small collection.

Imrat Khan, Raga Marwa, Nimbus Records

Dhruba Ghosh, Sarangi, Bowing Sounds from Dawn to Moonlight,Fonti Musical

The Sounds of India (details unknown, cannot locate just now)

Ravi Shankar lives about 15 miles from me and typically plays a local venue each year. I've seen him about 6x now and look forward to seeing him again. I think he is 89 now and struggling with health. Jackson Brown (another local) has been on the front row of many of these concerts.
HERE ARE % EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS:
1. Anything by the great Nikhil Banerjee (there isn't much, he died young)
2. All of the 'signature series' recordings of Ali Akbar Khan on his own label
3. On Nimbus records, anything by Asad Ali Khan
4. Anything by Z.M. Dagar, the great Rudra Vina player
5. "Midnight" by Pandit Pran Nath
If you can find "Paris Concert" on DVD grab it. Features Shawn Lane (guitar) and Jonas hellborg (bass). Lane absolutely smokes em on guitar in this one.
Interesting music, i've never heard that kind before. Some guys how to make good music, specially when they mix with techno tracks.