Ragas on the Santoor

Ragas on the Santoor is a studio album featuring a collaboration between Indian santoor virtuoso Bhajan Sopori and Bangladeshi tabla player Enayet Hossain. The album was released on May 19, 2010 under the Aimrec label in CD format. The recording showcases traditional North Indian classical raga performances adapted for the santoor, a hammered dulcimer native to the Kashmir region.

The album comprises five tracks centered on raga explorations. The first three tracks present Raga Marwa in a structured progression: an opening Aalap, Jor & Jhala section, followed by two gats (compositions) set in Jhaptal (10-beat cycle) and Teental (16-beat cycle), respectively. Sopori performs the melodic development on the santoor, while Hossain provides rhythmic accompaniment on the tabla. The fourth track features Raga Mishra Kafi, a semi-classical raga blending elements of Kafi and other melodic modes. The album concludes with a Kashmiri Dhun, a folk-inspired tune reflecting Sopori’s regional heritage.

The release event coincided with the album’s public availability on the same date. The recording emphasizes improvisational techniques characteristic of Hindustani classical music, with Sopori’s santoor playing adopting the gayaki ang (vocal-style phrasing) associated with the instrument’s adaptation to raga performance. Hossain’s tabla accompaniment adheres to the traditional role of rhythmic support and interactive dialogue with the lead instrument.

No additional production credits, session details, or alternate editions are documented in available sources. The album’s reception and commercial performance remain unrecorded in public archives.