Rahul Kumar Sharma is a master of the santoor, India's oldest stringed instrument and an ancestor of the hammered dulcimer, and this live album shows the extent of his virtuosity. Accompanied by a tabla player, he shimmers over the melodies (which come from the region of the Himalayas -- hence the title), letting the sounds ebb and flow. Whether tracing a slow tune or spiraling into a ravishing, dizzying improvisation, his command is complete -- as is his communication with his musical partner. The way they work together on the long "Melody of Kashmir in Contemporary Music" is nothing less than stunning; both together and alone they create a total sound, pushing each other along, and taking solos that seem to defy the possibilities of their instruments. It's a tour de force -- but that's true of the entire disc, an object lesson in both the santoor and the playing of ragas and folk tunes.
Tracks:
1. Maqam-E-Navaa (Sufyana Musiqi) (Traditional/arr. by Rahul Sharma) 10:28
2. Melody of Kashmir (Traditional/arr. by Rahul Sharma) 13:18
3. Melody of Jammu & Kashmir (Rahul Sharma) 12:37
4. Melody of Kashmir in Contemporary Music (Rahul Sharma) 36:09
Personnel:
Rahul Sharma (Santoor)
Ustad Shafat Ahmed Khan (Tabla)
Pandit Bhawani Shankar (Pakhawaj, Hudka and Ghungroo)
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