Raga Hansdhwani

Raga Hansdhwani, Raga Malkauns is a studio album by Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Amir Khan. Released in 1970 under the His Master’s Voice label, the recording appeared on vinyl and features two extended raga performances. The album opens with Raga Hansdhwani, a light classical raga associated with the late evening or early night. Khan’s interpretation emphasizes the raga’s characteristic phrases, blending the shuddha dhaivat (natural sixth) and shuddha nishad (natural seventh) in the khayal tradition of the Indore gharana.

The recording captures Khan’s signature vocal technique, marked by controlled taans (melodic runs) and deliberate phrasing. Accompaniment details remain undocumented in available sources, but the format suggests a standard ensemble of tabla and tampura. The second track, Raga Malkauns, contrasts with its pentatonic structure and deeper emotional resonance. This raga omits the shadj (tonic) and pancham (fifth) in ascent, a feature Khan explores through slow, meditative alap sections before transitioning to faster compositions.

The album serves as a representative example of Khan’s mature style during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His recordings from this period often balanced technical precision with expressive depth, reflecting his training under ustads like Abdul Wahid Khan and Rajab Ali Khan. The His Master’s Voice release aligns with the label’s broader catalog of Indian classical music, which included prominent artists of the era. No reissue or digital remaster details are confirmed from the provided context.

Notable for its historical significance, the album documents Khan’s rendition of two foundational ragas in the Hindustani repertoire. The 1970 pressing remains a reference for students of the Indore gharana, though specific sales figures, alternate editions, or live performance associations are not detailed in available records.