Final answer:
India's spiritual traditions, along with the country's rich culture and music, fascinated the 1960s and 1970s hippy generation as they searched for spiritual depth and an escape from Western materialism. The Beatles' visit to an Indian guru underscored the trend for musicians and youth to embrace Indian spirituality and culture. This, combined with anti-war sentiments and a longing for personal freedom, solidified India's appeal to the counterculture movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
What made India and Indian music attractive to the "world traveler" or "hippy" generation of the 1960s and 1970s can be best understood in the context of the era's widespread countercultural movement. The youth of the time, disenchanted with the materialism and conformism of Western society, sought spiritual enrichment and alternative lifestyles. This quest found resonance in India's rich spiritual tradition, colorful culture, and music. The Beatles' famous visit to India in 1968 to study meditation epitomized the trend, setting a precedent for other rock stars and the youth to seek spiritual guidance from Indian gurus. Furthermore, the unique storytelling, elaborate plots, and vibrant music of Bollywood films captivated audiences worldwide, projecting Indian culture onto the global stage.
Alongside the spiritual allure, the hippy generation was drawn to the ethos of peace and personal freedom that they believed Indian culture espoused, aligning with their own anti-war and freedom of expression movements. The use of traditional Indian instruments like the sitar in rock music by influential artists further mainstreamed Indian music and elevated its appeal. Thus, to the hippy generation, India represented an ideal blend of ancient wisdom, transcendental meditation practices like yoga, theatrical art forms, and a different societal paradigm far removed from the dominant Western norms.