About Down Melody Lane
Down Melody Lane is a studio album by Indian classical flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia. The album released in 1973 under the His Master’s Voice label. Chaurasia performed the bansuri flute as the primary instrument across all compositions. The recording adopted a 12\" vinyl format and contained three tracks.
Chaurasia structured the album around three raga performances. The opening track featured Raga Gujri Todi, a morning raga associated with the Todi thaat. The second composition presented Raga Bageshwari, a raga traditionally performed during the late evening. The final track showcased Raga Mishru Piloo, a blend of Piloo and other melodic elements. Each performance adhered to the alap-jor-jhala framework characteristic of Hindustani classical music.
The album emerged as an official release in 1973. His Master’s Voice produced and distributed the vinyl under its classical music catalog. The recording session details, accompanying artists, and production personnel remain undocumented in available sources. The cover art and liner notes, if included, also lack verified descriptions in public records.
Critics and listeners often associate Down Melody Lane with Chaurasia’s early discography, marking a period where he expanded the bansuri’s presence in recorded classical music. The album’s title deviated from conventional raga-based naming, though the content retained traditional Hindustani forms. No reissues or digital remasters have been confirmed in subsequent decades.