Raag: Malkauns Alap, Jod and Jhala

Raag: Malkauns Alap, Jod and Jhala is a 20th- or 21st-century instrumental recording by santur exponent Tarun Bhattacharya. The performance spans 10 minutes and 9 seconds, structured in the traditional three-part alap-jod-jhala format of Hindustani classical music. Bhattacharya renders the composition in Raag Malkauns, a pentatonic (audav-audav) raga associated with the late evening or night rasa (mood).

The recording captures Bhattacharya’s interpretation on the santur, a trapezoidal hammered dulcimer of Kashmiri origin adapted for Indian classical performance. The alap section introduces the raga through slow, meditative phrasing, while the jod accelerates with rhythmic interplay. The jhala concludes with rapid, percussive strokes that emphasize the raga’s characteristic komal ni (flattened seventh) and komal dha (flattened sixth) swaras. The track omits accompaniment, focusing solely on the solo instrument.

The release date, label, and original format (studio album, live recording, or compilation) remain undocumented in available sources. No additional artist credits or production details are confirmed. The composition adheres to the vilambit (slow) to drut (fast) tempo progression typical of Raag Malkauns performances, though specific taala (rhythmic cycle) references are not provided for the jod or jhala sections.

Tarun Bhattacharya (1944–2022) was a prominent exponent of the santur in the Maihar gharana tradition, known for expanding the instrument’s role in Hindustani classical music. This recording exemplifies his approach to raga elaboration, balancing technical precision with emotive expression. Further contextual details, including the recording venue or associated album, are not publicly verified.