Miyan Ki Todi – Alap (part II)

Miyan Ki Todi – Alap (part II) is a 1968 live recording of the Dhrupad vocal tradition performed by Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar. The track appears as side E on the 12\" vinyl release Raag Malkauns – Ragini Miyan Ki Todi (Bombay 1968), issued by Black Sweat Records on June 26, 2024. The performance captures a 16-minute and 25-second alap, the unmetered improvisational section that precedes the composed structure in Dhrupad.

The recording originates from a 1968 concert in Bombay, though the exact venue and occasion remain undocumented in available sources. Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar represent the 19th generation of the Dagarvani lineage, a school of Dhrupad known for its emphasis on deep, resonant vocal techniques and intricate microtonal explorations. Their rendition of Ragini Miyan Ki Todi adheres to the raga’s characteristic phrases, including the komal re (flattened second) and tivra ma (sharp fourth), while maintaining the slow, meditative tempo typical of alap.

The 2024 vinyl release by Black Sweat Records marks the first official publication of this performance. The label specializes in archival and experimental music, often restoring historical recordings for contemporary audiences. The album pairs Miyan Ki Todi – Alap (part II) with a rendition of Raag Malkauns, though the full tracklist and accompanying personnel for the 1968 session are not specified in public records. The vinyl format preserves the original analog warmth of the recording, with mastering details unattributed in the release documentation.

No additional context exists regarding the technical production of the 1968 recording, including the recording engineer, equipment used, or post-production processes applied before the 2024 remaster. The track stands as a document of the Dagar brothers’ collaborative approach, showcasing their shared command of breath control, gamak (ornamentation), and the layered textual interplay central to Dhrupad performance.