Asian Underground music is the expression that is generally attributed to Asian musicians in United Kingdom, ethnically belonging to countries in South Asia like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, who combine the aspects of western form of underground dance music and ethnic music of the countries of their origin. Many of these musicians and artists are the descendants of Asian immigrants who grew up in western countries, but still got a strong Asian connection through their ancestors. Anokha – Soundz of the Asian Underground, which was released in the year 1997 was the first renowned album composed by Talvin Singh and Sweety Kapoor.

During the 1990’s, the genre grew quite popular and rose to the mainstream. Asian Underground music and other South Asian forms started to influence the mainstream pop genre in UK with Siouxsie & the Banshees, Bananarama, Björk and Erasure all introduced singles or remixes using instruments of South Asia. Later in 1999, Talvin Singh got the Mercury Music Prize for his album “OK”. The genre wasn’t that popular in India and other South Asian countries with only internationally popular song “Mundian To Bach Ke” from Panjabi MC getting recognition until recently. Today, the genre is slowly spreading across India with many DJ’s playing it regularly in bars and nightclubs.

DJ Tuhin Mehta who only plays underground music is so quite famous and regularly plays it in Mumbai clubs. DJ Charlie often organizes “Twisted” nights devoted to the genre.

In Asian underground music many traditional as well as comparatively new instruments are used. The traditional instruments are tabla and sitar, along with modern instruments like acoustic or electronic drum kit and synthesizer. Electric bass is used by some groups such as Tabla Beat Science. Bansuri, dholak and sarangi are among the several other instruments that are also used.