First Love (Pratham Prem)

First Love (Pratham Prem) is a solo instrumental composition by Anoushka Shankar. The piece was released in 2023. It belongs to the Indian classical music genre and features the sitar as the primary instrument.

Anoushka Shankar composed and performed First Love (Pratham Prem). The track has a duration of 12 minutes and 43 seconds. It appears on her album Love Letters, which was published by Mercury KX, a division of Decca Records. The composition follows the structure of a raga, though the specific raga is not publicly documented.

The piece begins with an alap, a slow, meditative introduction that establishes the melodic framework. Shankar gradually introduces rhythmic elements, transitioning into a jor and jhala, which accelerate the tempo and intensify the improvisation. The performance showcases her technical precision and expressive phrasing, characteristic of her style.

Critics and audiences noted the track for its emotional depth and intricate sitar work. First Love (Pratham Prem) reflects Shankar’s exploration of classical Indian music while incorporating contemporary influences. The album Love Letters received attention for its thematic focus on personal and artistic expression.

No additional collaborators or guest artists are credited on this track. The label has not released specific details about the recording process or studio sessions for this composition.