Sitar

Sitar is a 1980 studio release by Indian classical sitarist Budhaditya Mukherjee. The album features two extended compositions rooted in the Hindustani classical tradition. Mukherjee performs the sitar as the sole instrumental focus, accompanied by an unspecified tabla artist in the gat sections.

The release comprises two tracks. Raga Bhimpalasi Alap And Gat opens the album with an elaboration of Raga Bhimpalasi, structured in the traditional alap-jor-jhala format followed by a gat in medium tempo. The second track, Raga Mishra Khamaj Gat in Vilambat And Drut, presents a composition in Raga Mishra Khamaj, performed in both slow (vilambat) and fast (drut) tempos. The recording captures Mukherjee’s adherence to the Etawah gharana style, characterized by intricate taan patterns and a balanced approach to melodic development.

The album released on January 1, 1980, under an unspecified label. Physical formats from the period typically included vinyl LP and audio cassette, though the exact distribution details remain undocumented. No reissues or digital remasters have been confirmed in available sources. The tracklist omits additional session musicians, and production credits are not publicly listed.

Budhaditya Mukherjee (1955–2010) established himself as a prominent disciple of the Etawah-Binkar tradition, training under Mushtaq Ali Khan and later his father, Bimalendu Mukherjee. Sitar represents an early phase of his discography, preceding his later collaborations with labels such as India Archive Music and Raga Records. The release exemplifies the solo sitar recital format prevalent in 20th-century Hindustani classical recordings.