Shikara by Moonlight

Shikara by Moonlight is a solo instrumental recording by Indian classical musician Shivkumar Sharma. The piece features the santoor, a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer central to the Kashmiri musical tradition. Sharma performs the composition, which blends raga-based improvisation with structured melodic development. The recording captures a live performance, though the exact date and venue remain unconfirmed.

The track has a duration of 6 minutes and 9 seconds. It was released as part of an album or compilation, though the specific release year and label are not documented in available sources. The composition adheres to the conventions of Hindustani classical music, emphasizing alap (slow, exploratory introduction), jor (rhythmic development), and jhala (fast-paced climax).

Shivkumar Sharma, born in 1938 in Jammu, is credited with elevating the santoor from a folk instrument to a prominent position in Indian classical music. His contributions include modifications to the instrument’s design and playing technique, enabling greater expressiveness in raga performance. Shikara by Moonlight exemplifies his signature style, characterized by intricate meend (glissando) work and dynamic rhythmic interplay.

The title references the shikara, a traditional wooden boat used on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir. The piece evokes the serene ambiance of a moonlit night on the lake, a theme reflected in its meditative tempo and fluid melodic phrasing. While the track is widely circulated in digital and physical formats, comprehensive liner notes or official documentation of its recording context are not publicly available.