Pallavi Ragamalika (Khanda Triputa Tala)

Pallavi Ragamalika (Khanda Triputa Tala) is a Carnatic instrumental composition performed by Dr. N. Ramani on the bamboo flute. The track appears as the fifth piece on the album Classical Karnatic Flute, released on CD by Nimbus Records in 1990. The recording spans 18 minutes and 13 seconds and showcases a ragamalika—a garland of ragas—structured in Khanda Triputa tala, a rhythmic cycle of seven beats divided into three units.

Dr. Ramani employs the traditional pallavi format, where the composition’s thematic material undergoes elaboration through improvisational techniques such as neraval and kalpana swaram. The performance highlights his command of breath control and tonal modulation, characteristic of the Parur style of flute-playing. The album does not specify accompanying artists, but Carnatic flute recordings of this era typically feature tambura drone, mridangam percussion, and occasionally violin or kanjira support.

Classical Karnatic Flute compiles solo and ensemble works by Dr. Ramani, a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1975) and Padma Shri (1973). The album reflects his contributions to popularizing Carnatic flute as a concert instrument in the late 20th century. Nimbus Records, a British label specializing in classical and world music, distributed the release internationally, though specific production details or alternate editions remain undocumented.

The track’s structure adheres to classical Carnatic conventions, beginning with an alapana-style introduction before transitioning into the composed pallavi section. The ragamalika format allows Dr. Ramani to traverse multiple ragas within a single piece, demonstrating technical virtuosity and aesthetic cohesion. No lyricist or composer is credited for the pallavi in the album liner notes, suggesting either a traditional composition or an original creation by the artist.