Ragas Sughrai Kanada, Paraj, Malavi

Ragas Sughrai Kanada, Paraj, Malavi is a studio album by Hindustani classical vocalist Mallikarjun Mansur, released on January 1, 1988. The recording presents three raga performances in the khayal style, a prominent form of North Indian classical music. The album format consists of three tracks, each dedicated to a distinct raga with accompanying rhythmic cycles.

Mansur performs Raga Sughrai Kanada in madhyalay teen taal, a medium-tempo 16-beat cycle. The composition adheres to the Kanada family of ragas, characterized by its use of komal ni (flattened seventh) and shuddha dha (natural sixth). The second track features Raga Paraj, also set to madhyalay teen taal. Paraj belongs to the Kafi thaat and employs a mix of shuddha and komal swaras, with a focus on gandhar (third) and nishad (seventh) variations.

The final track showcases Raga Malavi in jhaptaal, a 10-beat cycle known for its asymmetrical structure. Malavi, a rare raga associated with the Malwa region, incorporates phrases from both the Bhairav and Kafi scales. The album does not specify a label, and additional production details remain undocumented.

Mansur’s renditions emphasize alaap, jor, and jhala before transitioning into the composed khayal sections. The recordings capture his signature vocal technique, marked by precise intonation and expansive taan patterns. The accompaniment details, including tabla or harmonium artists, are not provided in available sources.

The album serves as a documented example of Mansur’s late-career work, following his contributions to the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. The release date aligns with his active period in the 1980s, during which he recorded extensively for All India Radio and private labels. No reissues or remastered versions are confirmed in public records.