Chasing Shadows

Chasing Shadows is a solo instrumental track by sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar. The composition appears on her 2013 studio album Traces of You. The piece runs for 5 minutes and 34 seconds. Shankar performs the sitar throughout, accompanied by minimal percussion and electronic textures. The track blends Hindustani classical raga structures with contemporary production elements. Traces of You was released under the Deutsche Grammophon label.

The composition opens with a slow, meditative alap that establishes the raga. Shankar gradually introduces rhythmic patterns, transitioning into a faster gat section. The piece incorporates live looping techniques, layering sitar phrases to create harmonic depth. Percussionist Tanmoy Bose contributes tabla, while electronic musician Nitin Sawhney provides additional production. The track does not follow a traditional bandish format, instead favoring an improvisational structure.

Anoushka Shankar recorded Chasing Shadows at multiple studios, including Abbey Road Studios in London. The album Traces of You marked her eighth studio release and received critical attention for its fusion of classical and modern styles. The exact release date of Chasing Shadows as a standalone single is not publicly documented. The track has been performed live in Shankar’s concerts, often as part of extended improvisational segments.