About Afternoon Ragas - Volume Three
Afternoon Ragas – Volume Three is a studio album of Hindustani classical music released on January 1, 1992. The recording features three artists: vocalist Mallikarjun Mansur, vocalist Shruti Sadolikar and sitarist Shahid Parvez. The album presents three raga performances selected for their association with the afternoon time cycle in the Hindustani tradition.
The release contains three tracks. Mallikarjun Mansur performs Raga Bhimpalasi, a raga traditionally rendered in the late afternoon and characterized by its emotive shuddha dhaivat (natural sixth) and komal gandhar (flattened third). Shruti Sadolikar interprets Raga Patdeep, a melodic form linked to the early afternoon that blends elements of Raga Malkaush and Raga Shuddha Sarang. Shahid Parvez presents Raga Mand, a raga of the Kafi thaat often performed in the post-noon period, noted for its use of komal nishad (flattened seventh) and shuddha gandhar (natural third).
The album format and label remain undocumented in available sources. Each track adheres to the khayal or instrumental gat-tod structure typical of Hindustani classical performance, with alaap, jor, and jhala sections followed by composed and improvised passages. The recording captures the artists’ interpretations without accompanying percussion or drone instrumentation, though production details confirm the use of tanpura for tonal support in the vocal tracks.
Mallikarjun Mansur (1910–1992) represents the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, while Shruti Sadolikar (1928–2015) belongs to the same tradition, emphasizing intricate taan patterns and rhythmic complexity. Shahid Parvez (b. 1955) performs in the gayaki ang (vocal-style) approach of the Etah gharana, adapting sitar technique to mimic vocal phrasing. The album’s selection reflects the artists’ specialization in afternoon ragas, a niche within the broader Hindustani repertoire.
Critical reception and commercial distribution details for Afternoon Ragas – Volume Three are not widely recorded. The release forms part of a series dedicated to time-specific raga performances, though the total number of volumes and their respective tracklists remain partially documented.
