About 20th Century Baithak Series
20th Century Baithak Series is an archival release featuring recordings by Hindustani classical vocalist Kesarbai Kerkar. The label Sangeet Kendra issued the album in CD format as part of a series dedicated to preserving live and studio performances from the 20th century. The release date remains undocumented in available sources, but the recordings originate from Kerkar’s active period in the mid-1900s.
The album compiles two tracks centered on Raga Jaijaivanti, a raga associated with the Khamaj thaat. Kerkar performs a vilambit khayal (slow-tempo composition) followed by a drut khayal (fast-tempo composition) in the same raga. The recordings exemplify her command of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, characterized by intricate taan patterns and a emphasis on bol-banao (lyrical improvisation). Accompaniment details, including tabla or harmonium artists, are not specified in the available documentation.
Kesarbai Kerkar (1892–1977) was a prominent exponent of the khayal genre and a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1953). Her contributions to Hindustani classical music included performances at major conferences such as the All Bengal Music Conference and the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival. The 20th Century Baithak Series release aligns with broader efforts to digitize and disseminate her legacy recordings, many of which were originally captured during private baithak (chamber) performances or radio broadcasts.
The CD carries no additional production credits or liner notes in the cited context. The label Sangeet Kendra, based in India, specializes in classical music reissues, though specific catalog or edition numbers for this release are not provided. The two-track structure suggests a focused presentation of Kerkar’s interpretation of Raga Jaijaivanti, a staple of her repertoire.