Ninnade (Kannada Raga, Desadi Tala)

Ninnade is a Karnatik (Carnatic) classical music composition performed by flautist Dr. N. Ramani. The track appears as the opening piece on the album Classical Karnatic Flute, released on CD by Nimbus Records in 1990.

The recording features Ninnade set in an unspecified Kannada raga and rendered in Desadi tala, a rhythmic cycle characterized by its asymmetrical structure. The performance spans 6 minutes and 31 seconds, showcasing Ramani’s mastery of the bamboo flute (venu) through intricate melodic phrasing and breath control. The album focuses exclusively on solo flute interpretations of traditional Karnatik repertoire, with minimal or no accompanying instrumentation as per the label’s production notes.

Dr. N. Ramani (1934–2015) established himself as a leading exponent of the Parur style of flute-playing, a lineage traced to his guru T. R. Mahalingam. His recordings, including this 1990 release, contributed to the global dissemination of Karnatik music during the late 20th century. Classical Karnatic Flute remains a reference work for students and performers of the genre, though specific details about the album’s additional tracks, session musicians, or recording locations are not publicly documented.

The label Nimbus Records, known for its classical and world music catalog, distributed the album in international markets. The CD format allowed for high-fidelity reproduction of the flute’s tonal nuances, a priority in Karnatik music recordings of the era. No reissues or digital remasters of this particular release have been confirmed as of the latest available sources.