Raag Yaman Raag Shri/ Pannalal Ghosh (1960)
It is hard to name an Indian classical music album that is more beautiful than this classic release by Bengali flute maestro Pannalal Ghosh.
Ghosh is credited with pioneering what was usually considered a folk instrument, the bansuri (bamboo flute), as a serious classical instrument. He got his start, as so many in the Indian musical world do, scoring or performing for film soundtracks but his talent and the gorgeous tones he was able to produce quickly led him to be embraced by the classical music fraternity.
Raga Yaman is one of the foundational ragas of the classical repertoire and should be played in the first part of the night. Raga Shri, considered more complex and dedicated to Lord Shiva, is highly devotional and to be performed at sunset.
This record has been part of my listening world as long as I can remember and has led me deep into the endlessly fascinating and rewarding universe of Indian classical music.
njrabe 