Raag Chandra Kauns

Raag Chandra Kauns is a 28-minute-59-second instrumental composition performed by sitarist Nikhil Banerjee. The track appears as the opening piece on the album Fond Memories – Sitar Vol. 4, released in 1995 under the All India Radio label. The recording was issued in CD format.

The performance showcases Banerjee’s interpretation of Raag Chandra Kauns, a raga associated with the late-night hours in the Hindustani classical tradition. The composition follows the alaap-jor-jhala structure typical of instrumental recitals, with gradual development through vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) sections. Accompaniment details, if any, remain undocumented in available sources.

Fond Memories – Sitar Vol. 4 forms part of a series curated by All India Radio, featuring archival and studio recordings of Banerjee’s work. The album’s production context, including recording dates and additional personnel, is not fully specified in public records. The track exemplifies Banerjee’s late-career style, marked by precise meend (glissando) and intricate taan patterns.

Nikhil Banerjee (1931–1986) was a prominent exponent of the Maihar gharana, trained under Allauddin Khan and later Ali Akbar Khan. His recordings for All India Radio and commercial labels remain foundational in 20th-century Hindustani instrumental music. The 1995 release postdates his death, indicating a posthumous compilation or reissue of earlier material.