Raga Kalavati: Lagan More Laage

Raga Kalavati: Lagan More Laage is a khayal performance in the Hindustani classical tradition rendered by Ustad Salamat Ali Khan. The track appears as the fourth composition on the DVD-Audio release Surround Yourself with Hindustani Ragas, issued by Nimbus Records on June 14, 2005. The recording spans 8 minutes and 56 seconds and showcases Khan’s interpretation of Raga Kalavati, a melodic framework associated with the late evening or early night raag repertoire.

The album Surround Yourself with Hindustani Ragas presents a curated selection of North Indian classical vocal and instrumental works in high-resolution DVD-Audio format. Khan’s contribution emphasizes the gayaki (vocal) style of the Sham Chaurasia gharana, a lineage known for its intricate taan patterns and emotive phrasing. The track title Lagan More Laage references a traditional bandish (composition) set to a medium-tempo vilambit or madhya laya rhythmic cycle, though the specific taal and lyrical content remain undocumented in available sources.

Ustad Salamat Ali Khan (1934–2001) was a prominent exponent of the Patiala-Kasur gharana and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (1990) for his contributions to Indian classical music. His recordings, including this posthumous release, preserve the improvisational depth and technical rigor of 20th-century Hindustani vocalism. The Nimbus Records production leverages the DVD-Audio format to capture the nuanced acoustics of Khan’s performance, though detailed session information—such as accompanying artists or recording location—is not publicly verified.

The track exemplifies the structural elements of a classical khayal rendition, progressing through alaap, jor, and jhala before the composed bandish. Khan’s treatment of Raga Kalavati adheres to its characteristic phrases, including the use of komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth) in descent. The recording serves as a reference for students and connoisseurs of the gayaki ang (vocal style) within the Hindustani tradition.