About Yaman
Yaman is a studio album of North Indian classical music released by sitarist Ustad Hidayat Khan and tabla player Enayet Hossain. The recording centers on Raga Yaman, a prominent evening raga in the Hindustani tradition, and includes a rendition of Raga Maand, a Rajasthani folk-influenced composition. Aimrec produced the album in compact disc format with an official release date of September 1, 2011.
The album features four tracks structured in the conventional khayal progression. The performance opens with an alaap in Raga Yaman, an unmetered improvisational section that establishes the raga’s melodic framework. This transitions into two gats (fixed compositions) set in vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) teental, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle. The final track presents Raga Maand, distinguished by its folk-derived phrasing and emotional depth. Hidayat Khan performs on sitar, while Enayet Hossain provides tabla accompaniment across all compositions.
The recording session’s location and production personnel remain undocumented in available sources. The album’s packaging and liner notes—if included—contain no widely cited details beyond the tracklist and artist credits. Aimrec, the releasing label, specializes in Indian classical and fusion music, though specific distribution scope for this title is unclear.
Critics and audiences often associate Hidayat Khan’s interpretations of Yaman with the Etah gharana (school) of sitar playing, characterized by intricate taan patterns and a balanced approach to meend (glissando) techniques. Enayet Hossain’s tabla playing on this album aligns with the Farrukhabad gharana, known for its clarity in bol (syllabic) articulation and dynamic control. The collaboration marks one of several recordings between the two artists, though their broader discography together is not fully cataloged.