About Romantic Sound of Sitar
Romantic Sound of Sitar is a studio album released in 1990 under an official label. The recording features a collaboration between tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and sitarist Rais Khan. The album presents a fusion of North Indian classical music with a focus on raga-based compositions and light classical dhun pieces.
The album adopts a CD format and contains three tracks. The opening composition Raga Nand Kalyan showcases an alaap-jor-jhala progression followed by a structured gat in vilambit and drut ektaal. The second track Raga Shankara Bihag explores a late-night raga with intricate taans and rhythmic interplay between sitar and tabla. The final piece Dhun shifts to a lighter, melodic folk-inspired theme, emphasizing improvisational dialogue between the artists.
Production details such as the recording location, studio personnel, and specific label name remain undocumented in available sources. The release date aligns with the broader 1990 timeframe, though no precise day or month is confirmed. The album exemplifies the collaborative dynamic between Hussain and Khan, both recognized for their contributions to Hindustani classical music during the late 20th century.
Notable aspects of the recording include Khan’s use of the gayaki ang (vocal-style phrasing) on the sitar and Hussain’s layered tabla accompaniment, which incorporates elements of the Punjab and Farrukhabad gharanas. The album’s title reflects its emphasis on lyrical expression within the classical framework, though it does not adhere to a strictly traditional khayal or dhrupad format.