Raga Deen Todi: Nis Din Jara Karoon Tero Naam

Parween Sultana recorded Raga Deen Todi: Nis Din Jara Karoon Tero Naam as the opening track of her 1999 album Rare Melodies. The composition spans 20 minutes and 40 seconds and showcases the Deen Todi raga, a variant of the Todi family known for its emotive depth and intricate melodic phrasing. Sultana renders the piece in the khyal style, a dominant form in Hindustani classical vocal music.

The album Rare Melodies was released on May 25, 1999, under the Saregama label. The format comprised a compact disc, part of a series that compiled lesser-heard performances by established artists. Sultana’s interpretation of Nis Din Jara Karoon Tero Naam features elaborate alaap and taan sequences, accompanied by traditional instrumental support including the tanpura and tabla. The recording captures her command over meend (glissando) and gamak (ornamentation), hallmarks of the Patiala gharana to which she belongs.

Parween Sultana emerged as a leading exponent of the Patiala gharana, trained under Ustad Dilshad Khan and later Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Her repertoire often includes complex ragas like Deen Todi, which demands precise intonation and emotional nuance. The 1999 release forms part of her broader discography, which spans classical, semi-classical, and devotional genres. Specific details about the accompanying artists or the recording location remain undocumented in available sources.

The track exemplifies the vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) sections typical of khyal performances. Sultana’s rendition adheres to the raga’s aroha-avroha (ascent-descent) structure while incorporating improvisational elements. Rare Melodies received distribution primarily in India, targeting audiences of Hindustani classical music. The album cover and liner notes, where present, provide minimal contextual information beyond track listings and artist credits.