What makes A Morning Raga / An Evening Raga by Ravi Shankar notable?

A Morning Raga / An Evening Raga represents a key entry point for Western listeners into Hindustani classical music. Its release helped establish Shankar's influence on the world music scene, paving the way for future collaborations with artists across genres and contributing to the increasing popularity of Indian classical music in the West during the late 20th century. By 1968, Ravi Shankar was already an internationally recognized figure in Indian classical music, following his groundbreaking performance at Woodstock in 1969. This album marked a significant moment in his career as he continued to bridge Indian traditions with Western audiences, showcasing the beauty of raga forms in extended compositions.

How many songs are on A Morning Raga / An Evening Raga?

A Morning Raga / An Evening Raga has 2 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

A Morning Raga / An Evening Raga

Ravi Shankar · 1968

47 min · 2 tracks · Indian classical music

Transcendent ragas unfold through intricate melodies and rhythmic complexities, inviting listeners into the depths of Hindustani classical music.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Raga Nata Bhairav — This piece exemplifies Shankar's mastery of raga structure, weaving together deeply emotive melodies and complex rhythms that evoke a sense of tranquility and introspection.
→
Raga Mishra Piloo — Showcasing Shankar's virtuosity, this raga blends delicate ornamentation with dynamic improvisation, illustrating the rich textures and emotional depth characteristic of Hindustani music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases complex ragas with skilled instrumentation, appealing to both traditional and new listeners.

What we noticed

Each raga unfolds in a traditional structure, with the first track focusing on the alap section before transitioning into the jor and jhala.
Both tracks maintain a meditative pace, allowing for extended improvisation within the established framework of each raga.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This EP helped establish Shankar's influence on the world music scene.
Themes: Hindustani musical tradition· transcendent morning rituals· evening raga meditations
Moods: Introspective· Chill
Career context: By 1968, Ravi Shankar was already an internationally recognized figure in Indian classical music, following his groundbreaking performance at Woodstock in 1969. This album marked a significant moment in his career as he continued to bridge Indian traditions with Western audiences, showcasing the beauty of raga forms in extended compositions.
Stylistic neighbors: Anoushka Shankar· Ali Akbar Khan· Nikhil Banerjee