Great info, I'd never considered buying Indian classical on CD, mostly just getting what used records I find, which means primarily Ravi Shankar. I don't know much about this music, but the point about uninterrupted running time makes good sense, I really dig hearing a raga taking its time developing. Next time I go CD shopping (which doesn't happen too often compared to my used record scrounging) I'll have to be on the lookout for some of these suggestions. BTW 4yanx, interestingly I also have a Shankar LP entitled "Three Ragas", but this one is on Capitol (DT 2720) with Chatur Lal on tabla and Pradyot Sen on tamboura. I guess American labels may have thought that one piece taking up one whole side was about the limit they could easily sell at the time...
Indian Sitar Stuff
While somewhat alone at the time, I rather enjoyed some of the sitar and sitar-influenced guitar work George brought to some of the Beatles songs. Just recently, I found an old Ravi Shankar LP "Three Ragas" on Pacific Jazz and really like many parts of that. Can people suggest pressings (LP's) of other similar instrumental-only Indian music featuring sitar. I am not huge on vocal pieces. Maybe if I understood. ;-)