Last Christmas (instrumental version)

\"Last Christmas\" (instrumental version) is a track by Indian violinist L. Shankar, featured as the 18th composition on the album Christmas from India. The album released on October 15, 2021 under Cleopatra Records in digital media format. The track spans 5 minutes and 9 seconds, presenting an instrumental adaptation of the 1984 holiday song originally composed by George Michael for the duo Wham!.

Shankar reinterprets the melody using his signature double violin, a ten-stringed instrument of his own design, blending Western harmonic structures with elements of Carnatic classical music. The arrangement retains the original song’s chord progression and melodic contour while incorporating improvisational phrasing and ornamental techniques characteristic of Indian classical performance. The production employs layered string textures and subtle rhythmic accompaniment, though specific session musicians or arrangers remain undocumented in available sources.

Christmas from India compiles instrumental and vocal renditions of traditional Christmas carols and popular holiday songs, performed by Indian classical and fusion artists. Cleopatra Records marketed the album as part of a series exploring global interpretations of Western seasonal music. No chart performance, commercial reception, or critical reviews for the track or album are publicly recorded as of the latest updates. The release aligns with Shankar’s broader discography, which frequently merges Indian classical traditions with Western genres, including prior collaborations with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Frank Zappa, and Yehudi Menuhin.

The original composition by George Michael debuted on Wham!’s 1984 extended play Last Christmas, released via Epic Records. Shankar’s version does not include lyrics or vocal elements, focusing exclusively on instrumental interpretation. Further details regarding recording locations, producers, or additional contributors to this track are not verified in accessible publications.