About Raga: Araj ● Madhyami
Raga: Araj ● Madhyami is a studio album by Indian classical sitarist Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan. The label His Master’s Voice released the recording in 1973 on vinyl format. The album features two raga performances in the Teen Tal rhythmic cycle, showcasing Khan’s interpretation of North Indian classical music.
The album contains two tracks. Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan performs Raga Araj in the first composition, followed by Raga Madhyami in the second. Both tracks adhere to the Teen Tal structure, a 16-beat cycle common in Hindustani classical music. The release date aligns with the broader period of Khan’s active recording career, during which he contributed to the dissemination of sitar music through commercial and concert platforms.
Limited documentation exists regarding the accompanying artists or production specifics for this release. The album’s status as an official His Master’s Voice publication confirms its commercial distribution in India during the 1970s. The vinyl format reflects the predominant medium for classical music releases of the era. No additional editions, reissues, or digital remasters of this recording are verified from available sources.
Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan established his reputation through the Jafferkhani baaj, a sitar-playing style characterized by intricate taans and rhythmic precision. This album exemplifies his approach to raga elaboration, with Raga Araj and Raga Madhyami selected for their melodic and technical demands. The 1973 release period coincides with Khan’s collaborations with other prominent labels, though His Master’s Voice maintained a significant catalog of his work during this time.
The original vinyl pressing includes no supplementary liner notes or artist commentary. The track durations remain undocumented in public records, and no live performance or alternate takes associated with this session are confirmed. The album serves as a representative sample of Khan’s mid-career output, emphasizing his role in preserving and advancing the sitar tradition within recorded media.