Ramnad Krishnan's Vidwan: Music of South India - Songs of the Carnatic Tradition is an ambitious, sprawling recording, but certainly true to its title. Krishnan was undoubtedly a vidwan of his craft, with a rich voice unmatched in its ability to swirl and spin around the slow violin melodies and accompaniment. Krishnan recorded the album in New York in 1987 and released it as part of Nonesuch Records' Explorer Series, producing what is for Westerners an ideal introduction to Carnatic music.