Megh Malhar - Volume Four

Megh Malhar – Volume Four is a studio album by Indian classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar, released on January 1, 1991. The recording forms part of Amonkar’s series interpreting the Megh Malhar raga tradition, a monsoon-themed raga cluster in Hindustani classical music. The label and production details remain undocumented in available sources.

Amonkar presents three compositions on the album. The opening track features Raga Gaud Malhar, a variant characterized by its deep, resonant komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth) swaras. The second composition explores Mishra Mel Ki Malhar, a mixed raga that blends Malhar phrases with elements of Malkaus or allied ragas. The album concludes with Kajri, a semi-classical folk form from the Uttar Pradesh region, traditionally performed during the monsoon season and structured around call-and-response patterns.

The release captures Amonkar’s signature gayaki (vocal style), marked by elongated aalap sections, intricate taan patterns, and a deliberate emphasis on bhava (emotional expression). Accompaniment details, including instrumentalists or percussionists, are not specified in the available documentation. The album’s format—whether originally issued on cassette, LP, or CD—is also unverified, though later reissues appeared on compact disc.

Megh Malhar – Volume Four aligns with Amonkar’s broader discography of raga explorations, which often revisit traditional structures through her interpretive lens. The recording period and studio location remain unconfirmed, as do any associated liner notes or credits beyond the artist’s name.