About Night Ragas - Volume Two
Night Ragas – Volume Two is a cassette album released under the Music Today label. The compilation features performances by vocalists Pandit Jasraj and Padma Talwalkar alongside sitarist Shahid Parvez. The release date remains undocumented in available sources, but the format aligns with the cassette production era of the label during the late 20th century.
The album comprises three tracks, each centered on a classical raga traditionally associated with evening or night performances. Pandit Jasraj renders Raga Hamir, a melodic structure linked to the late evening hours and characterized by its use of komal re and komal dha. Padma Talwalkar presents Raga Tilak Kamod, a raga of the Khamaj thaat often performed during the late night, noted for its emotive gamak-laden phrases. Shahid Parvez interprets Raga Bageshwari on the sitar, a raga of the Kafi thaat that evokes a contemplative mood suitable for nighttime recitals.
The recording captures live or studio performances without overt production embellishments, adhering to the acoustic traditions of Hindustani classical music. The cassette format suggests a release targeted at domestic audiences in India during a period when physical media dominated music distribution. No additional details regarding session musicians, recording locations, or reissue history are publicly verified.
As part of the Night Ragas series by Music Today, the album contributes to the label’s catalog of thematic compilations designed to showcase raga performances tied to specific times of day. The inclusion of artists from vocal and instrumental traditions reflects the label’s approach to curating diverse interpretations of classical repertoire.