Raga Sohani

Raga Sohani is a Hindustani classical music recording by santoor maestro Shivkumar Sharma. The performance was released in 1984. The primary format is a long-playing vinyl record, later reissued on audio cassette and compact disc. The label that distributed the original release is HMV (His Master’s Voice), now part of Saregama India Limited.

Shivkumar Sharma performs the raga in a traditional alap-jod-jhala-gat structure. The alap section introduces the raga’s melodic framework without rhythmic accompaniment. The jod section incorporates a slow rhythmic pulse, while the jhala accelerates the tempo with rapid strokes on the santoor’s strings. The gat section features tabla accompaniment by an uncredited artist, adhering to a medium and fast teental (16-beat cycle).

The recording spans 14 minutes and 55 seconds. The performance emphasizes the raga’s characteristic phrases, including the use of komal (flat) Ni and shuddha (natural) Ga, which define Sohani’s evening time association. Sharma employs meend (glissando) and gamak (ornamentation) techniques to highlight the raga’s emotional depth.

Notable tracks include the alap, which establishes the raga’s mood, and the fast gat, which showcases Sharma’s technical precision. The recording does not include additional compositions or vocal elements. The tabla accompanist’s identity remains unconfirmed in available sources.