About Kirwani
Kirwani is a 1979 Indian classical music album by Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain. The release features a single extended performance of Raga Kirwani. The album presents the raga in a traditional instrumental format, combining the santoor and tabla.
Shivkumar Sharma performs on the santoor, a hammered dulcimer originating from the Kashmir region. Zakir Hussain plays the tabla, a pair of hand drums central to North Indian classical music. The artists recorded the performance in a live or studio setting, though the exact recording conditions remain unconfirmed.
The album contains one track titled "Raga Kirwani." The performance follows the structure of a classical alap, jor, and jhala, progressing into a gat section with rhythmic accompaniment. Raga Kirwani belongs to the Kafi thaat and is classified as a late evening raga. It employs a scale that includes the notes Sa, Ga, Ma, Pa, Ni, and shuddha Dha, with komal Re and shuddha Ni in ascent and descent.
The release date is listed as January 1, 1979. The label for the album is not specified in available sources. Kirwani exemplifies the collaborative style of Indian classical duets, where melodic and rhythmic instruments engage in improvisation and dialogue.
Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain are prominent figures in Indian classical music. Sharma is credited with popularizing the santoor as a classical instrument. Hussain is recognized for his virtuosity on the tabla and contributions to cross-cultural musical collaborations.