About In Rare Moods
In Rare Moods is a pseudo-release by sitarist Jagdish Prasad and vocalist Samrat Pandit, issued under the Aitijjhya label on June 19, 2009. The release combines studio recordings with a documentary film segment, presenting a hybrid format that blends traditional Indian classical music with audiovisual documentation. The project emerged from a live recording session and archival collaboration, though its distribution remained limited to private circles and select cultural events.
The release features six tracks. Jagdish Prasad performs Raga Rageshree on sitar, adhering to the vilambit and drut compositions characteristic of the raga’s evening rendition. Samrat Pandit contributes vocals to Kahen Sataon Mohe, a semi-classical thumri in raga Pilu, accompanied by minimal tanpura and tabla. Yaad Piya Ki Aaye follows as a light-classical dadra, while Tera Bharosa Janive adopts a folk-inflected kajri structure. The instrumental Aao Aao Chaila closes the audio portion with a rhythmic jugalbandi between sitar and percussion. The sixth component is an untitled documentary film capturing rehearsal excerpts and interviews, though its runtime and production credits remain undocumented.
Aitijjhya released the project as a non-commercial artifact, targeting preservation over commercial circulation. Physical copies included a compact disc paired with a DVD for the film segment, though no catalog number or widespread pressings were confirmed. The release date coincided with a private screening event in Varanasi, where Prasad and Pandit presented selections live. Subsequent availability relied on direct requests to the artists or the label, with no verified digital platforms hosting the work.
Critical or scholarly reception of In Rare Moods is sparse, as the pseudo-release status restricted formal review. The collaboration marked a rare intersection of Prasad’s gayaki ang sitar style with Pandit’s Banaras gharana vocal techniques, though neither artist referenced the project in later discographies. The documentary’s content and the audio tracks’ mastering quality suggest an informal production ethos, prioritizing artistic exchange over polished output.