Kirwani

Shivkumar Sharma released Kirwani in 1979. The Indian classical album features a single santoor performance of Raga Kirwani, blending major and minor intervals for a melancholic mood.

Kirwani is a 1979 Indian classical music album by santoor maestro Shivkumar Sharma. The release features a single extended performance of Raga Kirwani. The album was issued as a long-playing record and later reissued in digital formats.

Shivkumar Sharma performs the raga on the santoor, a hammered dulcimer of Kashmiri origin. The performance follows the traditional structure of alap, jor, and jhala, characteristic of Hindustani classical music. The alap section introduces the raga’s melodic framework without rhythmic accompaniment. The jor section introduces a pulse, while the jhala section accelerates the tempo and intensifies the rhythmic interplay.

The release does not credit a specific record label. The track duration and additional production details are not publicly documented. The album is recognized for its interpretation of Raga Kirwani, a raga of the Kafi thaat, known for its melancholic and introspective mood. The raga employs a scale that includes both major and minor intervals, creating a distinctive emotional texture.

Shivkumar Sharma, born in 1938 in Jammu, is a prominent exponent of the santoor in Indian classical music. He adapted the instrument for classical performance, expanding its technical and expressive capabilities. His contributions to the genre include collaborations with other musicians and innovations in santoor construction and playing techniques.