Raag Ahir Lalit - Alap

Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar performed Raag Ahir Lalit – Alap as the second track in a live recording released under the title Concert à Radio France 1988. The performance originated from a 1988 concert at Radio France but received official publication in 2017 as a digital media release. The track spans 18 minutes and 36 seconds and showcases Dagar’s interpretation of the alap section in Raag Ahir Lalit, a morning raga associated with the Khandarbani tradition of Dhrupad.

The recording captures Dagar’s vocal technique characterized by sustained notes, microtonal oscillations, and gradual melodic development. The performance adheres to the Dagarvani style, emphasizing meditative phrasing and rhythmic flexibility without accompaniment. The release contains no additional artist credits or label information beyond Dagar’s name and the concert venue. Track metadata confirms the recording date as 1988 but does not specify the exact concert date or additional contextual details such as accompanying instrumentalists or audience presence.

Concert à Radio France 1988 remains an archival digital release with limited documentation. The 2017 publication format suggests distribution through online platforms, though no label or catalog number is publicly attributed. The alap in Raag Ahir Lalit stands as a representative example of Dagar’s late-career performances, reflecting his commitment to the Dhrupad tradition’s improvisational and spiritual dimensions.