About Violin Dynasty
Violin Dynasty is a collaborative studio album by Indian classical violinists N. Rajam and Sangeeta Shankar. The release features a jugalbandi format that blends the Mewati gharana tradition of Rajam with the Etawah gharana style of Shankar. The album appeared in 2005 under the label Sense World Music as a commercial CD.
The recording captures five tracks that emphasize alap and bandish compositions in Hindustani classical music. The opening track Alap establishes the raga framework without rhythmic accompaniment. Subsequent pieces include Bandish In Ektaal (12 Beats), a medium-tempo composition in the 12-beat cycle, followed by Bandish In Teentaal and Bandish In Drut Teentaal, which explore the 16-beat teentaal at varying speeds. The final track Gat In Teentaal presents a structured melodic development within the same rhythmic structure.
N. Rajam contributes violin performances rooted in the Mewati gharana, known for its emphasis on lyrical phrasing and gamak techniques. Sangeeta Shankar represents the Etawah gharana, characterized by intricate taan patterns and robust bowing styles. The album documents their live interaction, with tabla accompaniment providing percussive support. The release date aligns with the 2005 launch event, though specific venue or tour details remain undocumented.
The production credits for Violin Dynasty are not publicly attributed to a single producer or engineer. Sense World Music handled distribution, positioning the album within its catalog of Indian classical and fusion releases. No reissues or alternate editions have been confirmed as of the available records.