Raga Hamsadhwani

Raga Hamsadhwani is a track performed by sitarist Ustad Shahid Parvez as part of the album Evening Ragas Volume One. The recording features a 14-minute-37-second rendition of the raga, a Carnatic melody adapted into the Hindustani tradition. The composition emphasizes the pentatonic scale structure characteristic of Hamsadhwani, often associated with evoking serenity and the imagery of swans at dusk.

The album Evening Ragas Volume One was released under the Music Today label in CD format. The release date remains undocumented in available sources, though the label’s catalog suggests a production period in the late 1990s or early 2000s. Shahid Parvez’s interpretation of Hamsadhwani occupies the third position in the tracklist, following the album’s thematic focus on ragas traditionally performed during the evening hours.

Shahid Parvez’s performance adheres to the gayaki ang (vocal-style) approach on the sitar, a technique he refined under the guidance of his father and guru, Ustad Aziz Khan of the Etawah gharana. The track showcases the raga’s ascending and descending phrases, with an emphasis on the shuddha rishabh (natural second) and shuddha dhaivat (natural sixth) notes. The accompaniment details, including tabla or tanpura artists, are not specified in the available documentation.

The album Evening Ragas Volume One forms part of Music Today’s series dedicated to time-specific ragas, targeting audiences interested in classical Indian instrumental music. Shahid Parvez’s contribution to the series reflects his broader discography, which spans solo performances, jugalbandis (duets), and instructional recordings. Further production credits, such as recording location or sound engineering, remain unverified in public records.