Raga Hindolam: Govardhana Gireesam

Ru-Ba-Ru: A Unique Confluence of Sarangi & Mandolin is a collaborative studio album by Indian classical musicians Ustad Sultan Khan and U. Srinivas. The label Music Today released the album in digital media format on December 1, 2007. The recording showcases a fusion of the sarangi, performed by Khan, and the mandolin, performed by Srinivas, within the framework of Hindustani and Carnatic classical traditions.

The album features seven tracks that blend raga-based improvisations with instrumental interplay. The fourth track, Raga Hindolam: Govardhana Gireesam, spans 17 minutes and 1 second. This composition explores Raga Hindolam, a pentatonic scale prominent in both Hindustani and Carnatic systems, with Khan and Srinivas interpreting the raga through their respective instruments. The track title references Govardhana Gireesam, a devotional piece associated with Lord Krishna, though the album does not provide lyrical accompaniment.

Khan, a master of the sarangi and a exponent of the Indore gharana, contributed his vocal-like phrasing and expressive bowing techniques to the collaboration. Srinivas, renowned for adapting the mandolin to Carnatic music, employed rapid fingering and melodic intricacy. The album’s production emphasized live recording sessions to capture the spontaneity of their performances.

Critical reception of Ru-Ba-Ru highlighted the rarity of a sarangi-mandolin duet in classical recordings. The album’s title, translating to \"face-to-face\" in Hindi, reflects the direct musical dialogue between the artists. Additional details about the recording locations, producers, or session musicians remain undocumented in available sources.