I'm married to an Indian, so am exposed to the stuff at home, weddings, parties and funerals at very regular intervals.
Not once, on any occasion, have I heard music featuring a sitar. They regard this is a classical instrument, in much the same way we regard the violin.
The indian music I hear is much folkier and much more melodic. In fact, categorising "Indian" music is I suspect no easier than doing the same with "western" music.