About Classical Music of North India: Sitar & Tabla
Classical Music of North India: Sitar & Tabla is a studio album by sitarist Manilal Nag, released on July 5, 1987. The recording presents a traditional North Indian classical performance featuring the sitar accompanied by tabla. The album appeared under the SEVEN SEAS label in CD format.
Manilal Nag performed two extended compositions on the album. The first track showcases Raga Suha-Kanara set to Tintal, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. The second track follows the same raga-tala structure, maintaining the classical improvisational framework of the khayal tradition. The tabla accompaniment remains unattributed in available documentation.
The release date coincided with the album’s official launch on July 5, 1987. The recording captures Nag’s interpretation of the Etawah Baj, a sitar style associated with the Imdadkhani gharana. The production emphasizes acoustic clarity, with minimal post-processing to preserve the live-performance aesthetic of Indian classical music.
Limited supplementary information exists regarding the session musicians, recording location, or production personnel. The album’s liner notes, if included in the original CD release, are not widely documented in public sources. The tracklist confirms two primary movements, both centered on Raga Suha-Kanara, though variations in tempo or thematic development within the performances remain unrecorded in accessible archives.
As of the release date, Manilal Nag held recognition as a disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan, a prominent figure in the Imdadkhani lineage. The album contributes to the discography of instrumental Hindustani classical music from the late 20th century, reflecting the era’s emphasis on solo sitar recordings for international audiences.
