Raga Kalavati

Raga Kalavati is a track from the 1959 album Classical Music From Pakistan. Nazakat Ali Khan and Salamat Ali Khan perform the piece. The release appears on His Master’s Voice, a prominent record label. The format is a 12-inch vinyl record.

The composition follows the structure of Raga Kalavati, a Hindustani classical raga. The raga belongs to the Kafi thaat and is characterized by its pentatonic scale, omitting the second and sixth degrees. Performers typically render it in the evening or night, emphasizing its meditative and introspective mood. The track occupies side B of the vinyl record.

Nazakat Ali Khan and Salamat Ali Khan were brothers and exponents of the Sham Chaurasia gharana, a lineage of Hindustani classical vocalists. They specialized in khyal and thumri styles. Their collaboration on this recording showcases their vocal interplay, with Nazakat Ali Khan often taking the lead and Salamat Ali Khan providing harmonious support. The 1959 release contributed to their recognition in South Asian classical music circles.

The album Classical Music From Pakistan documents mid-20th-century performances of Hindustani classical music by Pakistani artists. His Master’s Voice distributed the record, reflecting the label’s role in preserving and disseminating classical music during that era. The exact duration of the track and additional personnel involved in the recording are not specified in available sources.