About Inde du Nord: Voyage intérieur
Inde du Nord: Voyage intérieur is a studio album of North Indian classical vocal music performed by Sheila Dhar. Released on November 1992 by Ocora, the album presents four raga-based compositions in a semi-classical and devotional style. The recording captures Dhar’s interpretation of traditional khayal and dhrupad-ang forms, adapted for a contemporary audience while retaining classical structural elements.
The album features four tracks: Bhairav, Kausi Kanhra, Mian-ki-Todi, and Mian-ki-Mallar. Each composition explores a distinct raga, with Dhar’s vocals accompanied by minimal instrumental support. The selection emphasizes morning and late-night ragas, adhering to the time-theory (samay) conventions of Hindustani classical music. The label Ocora, known for its ethnomusicological recordings, produced the album as part of its series on world traditional music.
Sheila Dhar trained under vocalists such as Amir Khan and Kumar Gandharva, and her renditions on this album reflect the gayaki (vocal style) associated with the Indore gharana. The recording process prioritized acoustic clarity, with the performances likely captured in a studio setting to preserve the intricacies of taan (melodic improvisation) and alaap (unmetered prelude). The liner notes, where available, provide contextual details on the ragas and Dhar’s artistic lineage.
The album’s title translates to North India: Inner Journey, signaling its focus on introspective and meditative aspects of classical music. Ocora released the work on compact disc, targeting both scholarly listeners and enthusiasts of Indian classical traditions. No live performance or alternate versions of the tracks are documented in connection with this release. The total runtime and specific session musicians remain unconfirmed in available sources.