Instrumental Santoor

Instrumental Santoor is a studio album by Indian classical musician Shivkumar Sharma. The album was released on January 1, 1973. It features Sharma performing on the santoor, a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer originating from the Kashmir region of India. The album consists of four tracks, each showcasing distinct ragas and folk compositions.

The first track, Raga Gujri Todi - Alap Gat Vilambit - Taal Bhanumati, presents a slow and meditative exploration of Raga Gujri Todi. Sharma executes the alap, a free-rhythmic introductory section, followed by a vilambit gat, a slow composition set to Taal Bhanumati. The second track, Raga Gujri - Alap Gat Drut Tritaal, continues with Raga Gujri but shifts to a faster tempo in drut gat, accompanied by Tritaal, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle.

The third track, Mishra Kirwani - Taal Kaharwa, features Raga Mishra Kirwani, a blend of Carnatic and Hindustani classical traditions. Sharma performs this composition in Kaharwa, an 8-beat taal. The final track, Dogri Folk Tune - Taal Deepchandi, adapts a traditional Dogri folk melody from the Jammu region. The piece is set to Deepchandi, a 14-beat rhythmic cycle.

The album serves as a representation of Sharma’s virtuosity on the santoor, blending classical ragas with regional folk influences. The label and additional production details for this release remain unconfirmed.