Baithak: Raga Malkauns, Vol. 4

Baithak: Raga Malkauns, Vol. 4 is a studio release by Hindustani classical vocalist Kumar Gandharva. The album forms part of his Baithak series, which captures intimate, semi-formal performances of ragas in a chamber setting. The label and exact recording date remain undocumented, but the release appeared commercially on January 1, 1993.

The album focuses exclusively on Raga Malkauns, a pentatonic raga from the Hindustani tradition associated with the late evening or night. Kumar Gandharva presents the raga through six khayal compositions, each set to different talas and tempos. The tracklist includes Khayal Vilambit in Teentala titled \"Aaye Ho Jee,\" followed by Khayal Drut in Teentala with the text \"Phool Behag Ye Ban.\" The third track features a Khayal Madhyalaya in Teentala rendered as \"Kaiso Niko Lago.\" The remaining compositions comprise Khayal Drut in Ektala (\u201CChhab Teri Chhab\u201D), another Khayal Drut in Teentala (\u201CDekho Ajab Khel\u201D), and a concluding Khayal Madhyalaya in Ektala titled \"Anand Mana.\"

Kumar Gandharva accompanies his vocal performance with minimal instrumental support, adhering to the baithak format that emphasizes spontaneity and direct expression. The recording omits extensive orchestration, centering on the tanpura drone and tabla percussion. The album’s production details, including the recording venue and engineering team, are not publicly verified.

The release contributes to Kumar Gandharva’s broader discography of raga explorations, particularly his interpretations of Malkauns, a raga he frequently performed in live concerts. The Baithak series as a whole documents his approach to raga elaboration in a controlled, intimate environment, contrasting with his larger-scale stage recordings. No reissues or remastered editions of this volume are confirmed as of the available records.