A jugalbandi is a musical conversation between two soloists who share the lead. They explore a raga together, taking turns with its phrases and responding to each other’s ideas. Aimrec’s Soulful Duets series pairs Hidayat Khan’s sitar with sarangi, violin and piano, with Enayet Hossain on tabla. Choose a pairing below and hear how each instrument changes the conversation.
Choose a duet
Sitar and sarangi: Soulful Duets
Hidayat Khan and Dilshad Khan share Raga Shudh Sarang, then turn to Raga Dhani and a folk melody. Enayet Hossain plays tabla.
Sitar and violin: Bliss
Hidayat Khan and Indradeep Ghosh explore Raga Jhinjhoti, from Alap, Jor and Jhala into slow and fast gats. Enayet Hossain joins on tabla.
Sitar and sarangi: Legacy
Hidayat Khan meets Kamal Sabri in Raga Charukeshi and Raga Puriya Kalyan. Enayet Hossain accompanies them on tabla.
Sitar and piano: Euphoria
Hidayat Khan and Utsav Lal explore Raga Bihag, with Enayet Hossain on tabla. Hear how the plucked sitar and piano approach the same melody.
What to listen for
- Two lead voices: notice when one soloist introduces a phrase and the other responds or develops it.
- One raga, different sounds: both instruments explore the same melodic framework in their own way.
- The rhythmic cycle: when tabla enters, follow how both soloists meet its recurring beats.
Beyond the duet
Celestial Ragas: The Eternal Journey brings together Hidayat Khan on sitar, Rakesh Chaurasia on bansuri and Sabir Sultan Khan on sarangi, with Enayet Hossain on tabla. Its Sindhi Bhairavi performance lets you hear three lead instruments together.
New to raga and tala? Start with An Introduction to Indian Classical Music, then explore the Raga Guide.