Râga jogiyâ-kâlingadâ: Âlâp

Nikhil Banerjee recorded Rāga Jogiyā-Kālingadā: Ālāp as the opening track of the album Le sitar du Pandit Nikhil Banerjee. The label Disques Espérance released the album on CD in 1988. The track spans 24 minutes and 21 seconds and showcases Banerjee’s interpretation of the rāga through the ālāp form, a slow, improvisational exposition characteristic of Hindustani classical music.

Banerjee performed the composition on the sitar, employing the instrument’s melodic and resonant qualities to develop the rāga’s structure. The recording captures his technical precision and expressive phrasing, emphasizing the meditative and exploratory nature of the ālāp. The album title translates to The Sitar of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, reflecting its focus on his instrumental mastery.

The release date and label suggest the album targeted international audiences, particularly those engaged with world music or Indian classical traditions during the late 1980s. No additional details about the recording sessions, accompanying artists, or production personnel are available in the provided context. The track remains a documented example of Banerjee’s later work, following his established reputation as a leading exponent of the Maihar gharana style.

Banerjee’s rendition of Jogiyā-Kālingadā aligns with his broader discography, which often featured extended ālāp performances to highlight the rāga’s emotional and structural depth. The 1988 release contributes to the preservation of his live and studio recordings, many of which were issued posthumously or through specialized labels like Disques Espérance.