Swara Raga Sudha Rasa Shankarabharana Adi Tyagaraja

Swara Raga Sudha Rasa (Shankarabharana, Adi) is a 37-minute-52-second rendition of a kriti composed by Tyagaraja, performed by flautist Dr. N. Ramani. The track appears as the third piece on the album Classical Music on Flute, released in May 2000 in CD format. The recording captures Ramani’s interpretation of the raga Shankarabharana, set to Adi tala (an 8-beat rhythmic cycle), and showcases his phrasing and improvisational techniques characteristic of the Carnatic flute tradition.

The album Classical Music on Flute features Ramani as the primary artist, accompanied by unspecified instrumentalists on percussion and drone support, though detailed session credits remain undocumented in available sources. The release date aligns with Ramani’s active period as a leading exponent of the Carnatic flute, following his training under the legendary T. R. Mahalingam (Flute Mali). The track exemplifies the alapana-neraval-swara structure typical of concert renditions, with extended explorations of the raga’s melodic contours before transitioning into the composed sections of Tyagaraja’s kriti.

The composition Swara Raga Sudha Rasa translates to \"the nectar of melody and raga\" and remains a staple in Carnatic repertoire, often performed in recitals for its lyrical depth and technical demands. Ramani’s version adheres to the traditional framework while incorporating his signature tonal clarity and breath control. The album’s label is not explicitly stated in the provided context, but the release period corresponds with Ramani’s collaborations with major Indian classical music publishers of the era. No additional production details, such as recording location or engineers, are available.

Dr. N. Ramani (1934–2015) received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985) and the Padma Shri (1990) for his contributions to Carnatic music, and this recording reflects his mature artistic phase. The track’s duration allows for an expansive treatment of the raga, including elaborate kalpana swaras (improvisational passages) in the latter sections. Further metadata about the album’s distribution or reissues is not confirmed in the given context.