Indian Sitar Stuff

unfortunately ebay is the best place to find the out of print sitar LPs, and especially unfortunately, the best ones (Vilayat Khan on Indian EMI) are very sought-after and can go for big bucks if they're mint.
I am a big Indian music fan (and student of) and, if it's the music you're after, I'd reconsider your vinyl bias. I am a vinylphile and totally understand your preference, but two things about Indian music make CDs a good thing: huge dynamic changes from nearly silent to loud and LONG compositions. That being said, here are a couple CD recommendations which I would consider essential if you want to get into true Indian classical (not fusion):
The Raga Guide on Nimbus - a 4 CD set that features sarod, flute and male and female vocals, and has a great book
Raga Yaman by Z.M.Dagar (also on Nimbus) - this is very subtle contemplative ancient music played on the Rudra Vina - the ancestor of the sitar family
Happy hunting!

MS, you make a very salient point with respect ot length of piece. Thanks

Anyone interested in Santoor? The artist to lookout for is Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and is the best santoor player in the world. I have his recording which is superb "Music of the Mountains". One of his best selling album is "The call of the Valley". This album is difficult to find but absolute gem.

The Indian Flutest to look out for is Pandit Hari Prasad Churasia, he is considered the best when it comes to traditional indaian bamboo flute. He had collaborated with Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin and Jan Garberek on the album "Making Music" which is available on ECM, An absolutely wonderful album. The sonics are first rate as well. This is my reference CD when it comes to Indian Music.

Bhatt has already been mentioned so will refrain from any comment except, he is really good! For those who may want to see him performing live, they can get the Eric Clapton's DVD entitled Guitar Festival and on disc two his is the first performance.

I will come back with some more suggestions later after going through my collection, getting forgetful nowadays ;)

This doesn't fall into the category of "classical" Indian music, but if you like that influence in your music, you might check out the CDs "Jubilee" (Harry Manx and Kevin Breit) and "Wise and Otherwise" (Harry Manx) for music that melds Indian influences with the blues.

Quadophile, I'm in total agreement with your enthusiasm for Shiv Kumar Sharma's Santoor playing. It's wonderful, sublime music. I've got half a dozen of his cd's and they are all winners. Musicslug is giving good advice. The long, slow, quiet buildup of a raga's introductory section and the length of the ragas give the cd format some advantages over vinyl. This is coming from someone who prefers vinyl usually.