Remain the Sea

Remain the Sea is a solo instrumental track by sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar. The composition appears on her 2015 studio album Home. The recording features Shankar on sitar without additional accompaniment. The piece lasts 4 minutes and 11 seconds. Deutsche Grammophon released the album on October 9, 2015.

Shankar structured Remain the Sea in a traditional raga format. The alap introduces the melodic framework with slow, meditative phrases. The jor section accelerates the tempo and develops rhythmic patterns. The composition concludes with a return to the contemplative mood of the alap. The track exemplifies Shankar’s interpretation of dhrupad-influenced alap and jor structures within Hindustani classical music.

The album Home marked Shankar’s return to pure classical repertoire after a series of cross-genre collaborations. Critics noted the recording’s emphasis on technical precision and emotional depth. Remain the Sea serves as the opening track on the album. The title reflects the thematic exploration of nature and introspection present throughout the work.

Anoushka Shankar recorded Home at her personal studio in London. The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best World Music Album in 2016. The track Remain the Sea has been performed in Shankar’s live concerts and remains a staple in her classical recitals.