Dhan Dhan Mangal Gavo, Raga Pat Bihag - Teental

Dhan Dhan Mangal Gavo is a khayal performance in Raga Pat Bihag set to Teental (16-beat cycle) by vocalist Kishori Amonkar. The recording captures Amonkar’s interpretation of the raga, a variant of the Bihag family characterized by its use of komal re (flattened second) and teevra ma (sharp fourth) in descent, alongside intricate taan patterns and bol-banao improvisations.

The performance format follows the traditional khayal gayaki structure, beginning with a measured alaap that explores the raga’s contours before transitioning into the composed bandish (Dhan Dhan Mangal Gavo). Amonkar employs her signature vocal techniques, including meend (glissando) and gamak (oscillation), to emphasize the raga’s emotive depth. The teental accompaniment, rendered on the tabla, provides a rhythmic foundation for the improvisational taans and sargam passages.

The exact release year and label for this recording remain undocumented in widely accessible sources. Amonkar performed and recorded Raga Pat Bihag across her career, with live renditions and studio sessions preserved in private archives and commercial releases. Notable tracks from her repertoire in this raga often feature extended vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) sections, showcasing her command over layakari (rhythmic play) and swara vistar (note expansion).

Kishori Amonkar (1932–2017), a exponent of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, refined this composition within the broader framework of her stylistic innovations. Her rendition of Dhan Dhan Mangal Gavo aligns with her broader discography, which includes recordings under labels such as HMV (now Saregama) and Music Today, though the specific publisher for this track is unverified. The performance exemplifies her approach to raga sangeet, balancing technical precision with expressive spontaneity.