About Masterworks From The NCPA Archives
Masterworks From The NCPA Archives is a live album featuring recordings by Hindustani classical vocalist Gangubai Hangal. Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd. released the compilation on February 20, 2013, in CD format as part of an archival series curated from performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai.
The album captures five khyal performances spanning traditional ragas. Gangubai Hangal renders Raga Kedar in Ektal with the composition Ab Kalana Pare Mitawa. She performs Raga Shuddh Sarang in Teental through Ab More Baat, followed by Raga Basant in Teental with Piya Sang Khelo Hori. The collection includes Raga Madhuvanti in Ektal via Man Sakhi Mora and concludes with Raga Mian Ki Todi, presented in both Ektal and Teental through Danga Patah Dum.
The recordings originate from live concerts, preserving Hangal’s interpretive style and improvisational techniques characteristic of the Kirana gharana. The album serves as a documented representation of her late-career performances, though specific concert dates and accompanying artists remain uncredited in the release metadata. The NCPA archives provided the source material, while Sony Music handled production and distribution.
Gangubai Hangal (1913–2009) was a prominent exponent of the Kirana gharana, known for her deep, resonant voice and mastery of khyal gayaki. This posthumous release aligns with broader efforts to digitize and disseminate historical recordings of Indian classical music. The CD format targets audiences interested in archival performances and traditional Hindustani vocal traditions.