The First Noel (instrumental version)

\"The First Noel (Instrumental Version)\" is a track by Indian violinist L. Shankar, featured as the fifteenth composition on the album Christmas from India. The album released on October 15, 2021 under Cleopatra Records in digital media format. The track runs for 3 minutes and 49 seconds and presents an instrumental adaptation of the traditional English Christmas carol, reimagined through Shankar’s signature double violin technique.

Shankar composed and performed the arrangement, blending Western harmonic structures with elements of Carnatic classical music. The album Christmas from India compiles festive interpretations by various Indian classical and fusion artists, with Shankar’s contribution standing out for its fusion of seasonal themes and Indian instrumental traditions. Cleopatra Records distributed the release globally via digital platforms, targeting audiences interested in world music and cross-cultural adaptations of holiday repertoire.

The tracklist context confirms the piece as part of a broader collection, though specific recording sessions, additional musicians, or production details remain undocumented in available sources. Shankar’s version retains the melodic framework of \"The First Noel\" while incorporating improvisational passages characteristic of his style. The album received limited promotional coverage, with no chart placements or commercial performance data publicly disclosed as of the release date.