Raga: Sindhu Bhairavi

Sindhu Bhairavi is a rendition of the eponymous raga performed by sitarist Ravi Shankar and sarod player Ali Akbar Khan. The recording spans 20 minutes and 1 second. The context does not specify the release year, label, or original format, though the collaboration aligns with the artists’ documented history of joint performances in the mid-to-late 20th century.

The performance adheres to the structural conventions of raga Sindhu Bhairavi, a morning raga in the Bhairavi thaat characterized by its use of komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth). Shankar and Khan employ the jugalbandi (duet) format, alternating improvisational passages (alat) and composed themes. The recording captures the interplay between sitar and sarod, with accompaniment details unspecified in the available context.

Notable aspects of the rendition include the artists’ contrasting stylistic approaches: Shankar’s gayaki ang (vocal-like phrasing) on the sitar and Khan’s percussive, melodic articulation on the sarod. The performance likely follows the traditional progression of raga development, beginning with a slow, exploratory alap before transitioning to faster rhythmic sections (jor and jhala). No specific track segments or standout compositions within the recording are documented in the provided context.

The collaboration between Shankar and Khan dates to their early careers, with both artists emerging as leading figures in the global dissemination of Indian classical music. While the exact recording session details remain unverified, their partnership produced numerous live and studio recordings, often under labels such as EMI, Angel Records, or Connoisseur Society during the 1960s–1980s. The absence of metadata for this particular rendition limits further attribution.