Anoushka Shankar
Home

THE REVIEW

In anticipation of listening to "Land Of Gold," the latest work by Anoushka Shankar released a few months ago, I present you with this other beauty.

Self-produced by Shankar herself, "Home," released fresh in July 2015, represents a return to the roots, a return home: after almost a decade of experimenting with different genres and sounds and numerous collaborations, the Saraswati of the sitar offers us an album of pure Classical Indian style.

Summed up in three words: simple, intense, and extremely intimate.

The album is certainly a special tribute to the teachings that her father and guru Ravi imparted with so much love, and, as tradition goes, two Ragas are presented, one of which is an original creation by the latter.
A curious note is the following: Indian classical music is not written on scores but has been improvised or orally transmitted for centuries.

- "Guru: Raga Jogeshwari" [divided into three parts: 1) Alaap ; 2) Jod, Jhala ; 3) Gat In Rupaktal]
- "Celebration: Raga Manj Khamaj" [by Ravi Shankar]

It's inevitable that the artist's performances are very personal, heartfelt, and truly moving.
In the initial part "Alaap" one can perceive that sense of nostalgia through the meditative and hypnotic slowness of the weeping notes of her sitar. Personally, the part of the album I prefer... it touched my spirit.
Throughout the other two parts, the atmosphere becomes increasingly fast and festive, with classic crescendos between sitar and tabla (the only instruments used in this album).
The "Raga Manj Khamaj" is a true representation of the talent cultivated for almost her entire life, a virtuoso homage to a man who, unfortunately, is no longer with us but is surely proud of his little girl.

Until next time, with "Land Of Gold"...