Malkauns: Main San Meet

Kesarbai Kerkar (1892–1977) was a Hindustani classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Her 1950s recording of Malkauns in the khayal form, titled Main San Meet, appears on the posthumous compilation Kesarbai Kerkar, released in January 2013 by Canary Records. The album features archival material pressed on a 12\" vinyl format.

The track Main San Meet occupies the A2 position on the release. Kerkar’s rendition exemplifies the badhat (elaboration) and taan (melodic improvisation) techniques characteristic of the Jaipur-Atrauli tradition. The composition adheres to the pentatonic structure of Rag Malkauns, a night raga associated with introspection. Accompaniment details for this recording remain undocumented in the 2013 reissue, though historical accounts note Kerkar frequently performed with tanpura and tabla support.

The 2013 Canary Records release compiles selections from Kerkar’s career, spanning studio sessions and live performances. The label sourced the Main San Meet track from an earlier 78 rpm disc, remastered for vinyl playback. No additional production credits or session dates accompany the liner notes. Kerkar’s recordings are recognized for their adherence to gayaki (vocal style) rooted in the dhrupad-ang approach, emphasizing rhythmic precision and textual clarity.

Kerkar received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1953 and the Padma Bhushan in 1969 for her contributions to Hindustani music. The 2013 vinyl reissue forms part of a broader revival of her work, targeting audiophile and archival audiences. The original recording date of Main San Meet is unverified in the release documentation.