Raag Shahana

Raag Shahana is a 27-minute instrumental composition performed by sitarist and composer Baluji Shrivastav. The track appears as the third piece on the album Classical Indian Ragas: Shadow of the Lotus, released on June 1, 2007 by ARC Music in CD format.

The recording showcases Shrivastav’s interpretation of Raag Shahana, a raga traditionally associated with the late evening or early night (sandhi prakash time). The performance adheres to the structural conventions of North Indian classical music, featuring an alaap (unmetered introduction), jor, and jhala before transitioning into a rhythmic cycle (taal). The composition emphasizes the raga’s characteristic phrases, including the use of komal re (flattened second) and teevra ma (sharp fourth) in ascent, alongside a descent that omits the pancham (fifth).

The album Classical Indian Ragas: Shadow of the Lotus compiles live and studio recordings of Shrivastav’s sitar performances, accompanied by tanpura drone and occasional percussion. The release context suggests a focus on traditional raga presentations without fusion elements. Additional details about the accompanying artists or specific recording locations remain undocumented in available sources.

ARC Music, the label behind the release, specializes in world music and traditional recordings. The 2007 CD includes liner notes that provide historical and technical background on the featured ragas, though the exact authorship of these notes is not specified. Raag Shahana stands as one of the longer tracks on the album, reflecting the improvisational depth typical of Shrivastav’s concert-style renditions.