Raga Darbari Kanada

Dr. Smt. N. Rajam is a studio album by violinist N. Rajam, released in 1985 under the His Master’s Voice label. The recording appeared in vinyl format and features a single extended track.

The album centers on a 23:14-minute rendition of Raga Darbari Kanada, a prominent raga in the Hindustani classical tradition. The performance showcases Rajam’s interpretation of the raga through the violin, a less common lead instrument in this genre compared to vocal or sitar presentations. The track occupies side A of the vinyl release.

N. Rajam, a disciple of the Mewati gharana, established her career as one of the first female violinists to gain prominence in Indian classical music. Her technique blends the instrument’s Western origins with the ornamentation and phrasing characteristic of Hindustani khayal. The 1985 release reflects her mature style, though specific session details—such as accompanying artists or recording location—remain undocumented in available sources.

The album cover and liner notes, where present, typically feature minimal text, emphasizing Rajam’s name and the raga title. His Master’s Voice, a subsidiary of EMI India, distributed the record as part of its classical music catalog during the mid-1980s. Reissues or digital remasters of this recording have not been verified in public records.