About Together
Together is a studio album by Indian classical musician and zitar virtuoso Niladri Kumar. Released on April 18, 2011, the album features ten original compositions that blend elements of Hindustani classical music with contemporary fusion. The primary format of the release is CD, though distribution details for additional formats remain unconfirmed.
Niladri Kumar composed and performed all tracks on the album. The recording showcases his signature instrument, the zitar—a modified version of the sitar designed to expand its tonal and technical range. The album integrates traditional raga structures with modern production techniques, emphasizing improvisation and rhythmic complexity.
The tracklist includes River, Pink, Mirror, Ananta, Together, Jogi, Play, The Bliss, Threads, and Joy. Each composition explores distinct melodic and percussive themes, with Ananta and Together serving as central pieces that highlight Kumar’s collaborative approach to performance. The title track, Together, incorporates layered instrumentation and dynamic shifts, while Jogi draws from folk traditions associated with ascetic musicians in North India.
The album reflects Kumar’s ongoing experimentation with cross-genre fusion, a direction he pursued in prior releases such as Golden Strings of the Sitar (2003) and Sitar Funk (2006). Production credits for Together are not fully documented, but the release aligns with Kumar’s work under independent and specialty labels focused on world music. No commercial label affiliation is explicitly stated in available sources.
Critical reception and chart performance data for Together are not widely recorded. The album remains a reference point in Kumar’s discography for its synthesis of classical discipline and contemporary accessibility. Live performances associated with the release included collaborations with percussionists and electronic artists, though specific tour details are undocumented.