Raag Marwa

Pannalal Ghosh released The Magic Flute of Pannalal Ghosh in 1968 under the Odeon label. The album appeared as a 12\" vinyl record and showcased Ghosh’s mastery of the bansuri, a North Indian bamboo flute. The recording emphasized his innovative adaptations of classical raga structures for the instrument.

The album opens with Raag Marwa as the first track on Side A. Ghosh performs the raga in the traditional vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) sections, accompanied by the tanpura and tabla. The composition highlights the raga’s characteristic komal re (flattened second) and teevra ma (sharp fourth), rendered with precise phrasing and breath control. The recording captures the acoustic resonance of the flute, a hallmark of Ghosh’s technique.

Ghosh established the bansuri as a solo concert instrument in Hindustani classical music through works like this album. His collaborations with composers such as Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan further cemented his influence. The 1968 release remains a reference for flute performances in the Maihar gharana tradition.

Limited documentation exists on the album’s production details, including session musicians or recording location. The vinyl’s original liner notes provide no additional track-specific annotations beyond the raga title and artist credit.