THIS IS A RARE AND USED ITEM. IT IS NOT MANUFACTURED ANYMORE. NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Time was when the santoor was just a simple Kashmiri folk instrument. It is only in recent years that it has come into great prominence and earned for itself the status of a concert instrument. And it is a tribute to the many-faceted genius of Shivkumar Sharma who made this possible. One has only to listen to believe that the santoor can afford pure classical abstractions as delightfully, as abidingly as any other Indian concert instrument.

The santoor, originally known as ‘Shata Tantri Veena (100 stringed lute), closely resembles the harp, held horizontally. Shivkumar’s instrument, however consist of 116 strings.

The addition of the new strings is his own innovation, and he has used it to obvious advantage – to secure a wider range of expression. The instrument is played with a pair of soft wooden tongs. Their gentle strokes on the strings afford a plentitude of delicate yet lively effects, revealing a shimmering grace of movement with a novelty and charm all their own.

Kashmir-born, Shivkumar Sharma, now in his early thirties, holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and master’s degree in Economics. His father, himself a noted exponent of the Banaras tradition of music, saw in his precocious son the ingredients of a future veteran and encouraged him in his musical pursuit side by side with his academic studies. It is of interest to know that Shivkumar Sharma first distinguished himself by his supreme command of the table art before he switched over to the santoor.

Shivkumar Sharma today ranks high among the instrumental virtuosi from the younger set and no major musical event is complete without his recital. A popular broadcaster, he has won tremendous acclaim by his concerts in many foreign countries.

The santoor’s entry into the Indian classical arena to qualify for a concert instrument is truly a landmark in the field. Its growing popularity has encouraged us to bring out this one more long-play disc.

THE MUSIC

SIDE ONE:

RAGA GUJRI TODI: This is a celebrated morning melody known for its yearning, pensive mod. Hexatonic in character, the melody omits the fifth note (Panchama) from the scale. 

The artiste stands his recital with a gat in slow (vilambit) tempo set Bhanumati taal, a difficult rhythm of 11 beats. This is followed by a faster-tempo composition played to tritaal in 16 beats.

SIDE TWO:

DHUN: MISHRA KIRWANI: This is a light classical theme based on the popular Carnatic raga Kirwani. The composition is played to kaharwa taal in eight beats.

DOGRI FOLK_TUNE: This is the typical folk-tune from Kashmir, redolent of rural flavour, set to Deepchandi taal in 14 beats. The composition is marked by a subtle charm and uncanny lilt.

Artists:

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (Santoor)

Tracks:

Side 1

Raga Gujri Todi          Gat Vilambit, Taal Bhanumati

Raga Gujri Todi          Gat Drut, Tritaal

Side 2

Raga Mishra Kirwani     Dhun   Taal Kaharwa

Dogri Folk                      Tune     Taal Deepchandi