Underrated Music Documentaries Worth Adding to Your Watchlist

Music documentaries take you back in time. They let you pause, rewind, and relive the journeys of artists, genres, and cultural moments. Beyond the legend, you see their real stories unfolding. Be it the immersive Woodstock or the groovy Greatest Night in Pop, it’s that feeling of shared history that keeps you watching.

In the same way, India carries its own stories across time. Its music, ever-changing and wide-reaching, reflects the country’s cultural dynamism. Think of the jazz wave that shaped the 60s, or the 2010s, when rock and metal had crowds headbanging across cities. In villages too, folk voices thrive, keeping traditions alive through song. Today, a growing indie movement is paving the way for a new future in music.

From countercultural Indian gigs to Hindustani classical epics and homegrown record labels, tradition, defiance, and individuality come together in a vivid mosaic best experienced on screen.

For the curious and the deeply passionate, RSI presents a selection of underrated music documentaries that truly deserve a place on your watchlist.

Raga (1971)

Before international arena tours and sellout concerts, you had Pandit Ravi Shankar mesmerizing the crowd at the Monterey Pop Festival with his humble sitar. Directed by Howard Worth, it paints an autobiographical picture of Shankar’s relationship with classical music. His boundless influence continues to shape the evolution of India’s sound. The film also features George Harrison and Yehudi Menuhin briefly.

Khayal: A Musical Journey (1987)

Transport yourself into the world of Khayal Gharanas as the late Indian Tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain, lays out the foundation of Hindustani classical music. Produced by the Film Division of India, this documentary takes you back to the beginning. The film touches upon the ancient Vedic origins, swaras and shrutis, emphasizing the distinct rhythmic patterns and melodies that shape it. A captivating deep dive, it’s a transcendental tale into the regional intricacies and the Ustads who led it.

Girl Song (2003)

Vasudha Joshi’s compelling film dissects the trials and tribulations of Anjum Katyal, a pioneering Indian blues singer. In intimate conversations between her mother and daughter, she reflects on the exclusionist perspective surrounding her cultural identity. As an Indian woman singing rock, jazz, and blues, Katyal emerged in the 1980s as a bold voice, both as a singer and poet, carving her niche.

Leaving Home: The Life And Music Of Indian Ocean (2008)

This groundbreaking non-fiction film chronicles the band’s remarkable journey from its inception in the 1980s to its current acclaim. Shot entirely in their designated studio, the documentary captures the raw energy and resilience that catapulted them into stardom. In a heartfelt tribute, the band later titled one of their albums after the address of that very studio.

Bombay 70 (2014)

Straight from the streets of Kurla, the story follows the life of 21-year-old rapper Naezy, who is the writer of his musical destiny. From growing up as a conservative Muslim delinquent to performing his heart out in front of an audience, the short documentary illuminates the protagonist’s journey, all from the gullies of the infamous Rambachan chawl. Naved to his mom, Naezy to the masses—it acquaints the viewer with the many faces of the rapper.

Standing By (2015)

Consider this your bible of Indian independent music history. Narrating the mammoth journey of indie artists straight from the 40s and 60s, this Red Bull mini-series unearths some influential names who paved the way for the present Indian music scene. Be it learning about the burgeoning jazz scene of the 60s, to the proliferation of metal music, this series has it all. For print media enthusiasts, catch the coverage of alternative magazines and fanzines like “Junior Statesman” and “Blue Rhythm,” some of India’s first youth-centred publications.

Rockumentary (2018)

Decoding the Indian rock and roll trail, this documentary takes you back to the 30s, when jazz, rock, and blues had set foot on Indian soil. This Abhimanyu Kukreja directorial gives you a glimpse into the rich history of Indian rock from the 60s to the present. From Avial to Peter Cat Recording Co., you will see familiar faces that defined the genre of independent music in our country. 

Vice: A New Wave In India Hip-Hop: Azadi Records (2019)

This one is for the DHH stans. At the height of celebrating their second anniversary, VICE captures the intricacies of Azadi Records, an independent, multilingual record label. Home to artists such as Prabh Deep, Seedhe Maut and Swadesi, it rests at the focal point of culture, authenticity, identity and politics. The fourteen-minute feature falls under VICE Raps, an international series that documents the growing genre of Hip Hop.

Colors Of The Earth (2019)

This Shefali Bhushan directorial, which won an award at the Vitas Film Festival, UCLA, is hailed for its beautiful portrayal of folk music in India. From the snow-clad Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan, the hour-long documentary film covers the sonic tapestry of India’s cultural sound. Be it tracing the forgotten ballads of 90-year-old Jhusia Damai or exploring Manoj Tiwari’s Bhojpuri melodies, the intently dives into the lesser-known folk hotspots. Bhushan, who is passionate about reviving the traditional intricacies of folk singers across India, co-founded “Beats of India” in 2000. 

Back Then: The Story Of Live Music In Bombay (2024)

Were you an original scenester, thriving on band battles, mosh pits, and pub gigs? Then prepare to dive headfirst into a wave of nostalgia. Back Then, directed by Anindita Dutta Roy and Abhishek Chandran, is an ode to the burgeoning Indian live music experience, chronicling thirty years of Mumbai’s underground metamorphosis. It depicts the evolution of a hedonistic, DIY-fueled counterculture by collating intimate stories of live concertgoers and artists from the 90s, 2000s and 2010s. Spotlighting the growing rock, metal and punk musicians, the 53-minute documentary highlights the ‘misfits,’ whose independent shenanigans shaped what live music is today.