About Raga Mian Ki Malhar
Raga Mian Ki Malhar is a studio album by Indian classical musician Shivkumar Sharma, released on January 1, 1993. The recording features Sharma on the santoor, a hammered dulcimer adapted for Hindustani classical music. The album presents a single extended performance of Raga Mian Ki Malhar, a monsoon-themed raga associated with the Malhar family of ragas.
The release consists of one track divided into structured sections. Sharma begins with an alap, followed by jor and jhala, establishing the raga’s melodic framework. The performance transitions into a madhya lay gat set in Jhaptal (a 10-beat cycle), then progresses to drut gats in Teental (16 beats) and Ektal (12 beats). The composition adheres to the traditional khayal format, emphasizing improvisation within the raga’s grammatical rules.
The album was issued in audio CD format. The label is not specified in available sources. Sharma’s interpretation of Mian Ki Malhar highlights the raga’s evocative phrasing, often linked to the depiction of rain and nature in Indian classical music. The recording duration and additional production details remain undocumented.
Shivkumar Sharma (1938–2022) was a prominent exponent of the santoor and a key figure in popularizing the instrument in Hindustani classical concerts. His collaborations with flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and composer Shiv-Hari are notable, though this release is a solo endeavor. The album exemplifies Sharma’s technical command and expressive depth in raga elaboration.