About Hundred Strings of Santoor
Hundred Strings of Santoor is a 1986 Indian classical music album by santoor maestro Shivkumar Sharma and tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain. The release presents two extended instrumental performances in the Hindustani classical tradition. The album features live improvisations on Raga Mishra Khamaj, a raga that blends elements of Khamaj and other melodic frameworks.
Shivkumar Sharma performs on the santoor, a hammered dulcimer with one hundred strings, which he adapted for classical Indian music. Zakir Hussain accompanies on the tabla, providing rhythmic cycles (tala) that structure the performances. The album consists of two tracks, each titled Raga Mishra Khamaj and distinguished numerically as Part 1 and Part 2. The recordings capture the artists' interplay through alap, jor, jhala, and gat sections, characteristic of Hindustani instrumental recitals.
The release date is listed as January 1, 1986. The label and format for this album are not specified in available sources. The album is recognized for its technical precision and expressive depth, reflecting the collaborative synergy between Sharma and Hussain. It remains a reference work for students and practitioners of Hindustani classical music.