Raga Kedar

Raga Kedar is a khayal performance recorded by Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan for his 2006 studio album Sangeet Sartaj. The track appears as the fourth composition on the release, spanning a duration of 10 minutes and 49 seconds. Khan renders the raga in the traditional vilambit (slow) and drut (fast) sections, adhering to the structural conventions of the Kedar raga from the Kalyan thaat. The album was issued under the Saregama label, though specific recording dates and accompanying instrumentalists remain undocumented in widely accessible sources.

The performance showcases Khan’s interpretation of Raga Kedar, characterized by its use of komal re (flattened second) and komal dha (flattened sixth) in descent, alongside the shuddha ma (pure fourth). The composition employs a teentaal (16-beat cycle) for the rhythmic framework in the drut section. Sangeet Sartaj positions the track among a collection of Khan’s renditions of traditional and semi-classical ragas, targeting audiences of both connoisseurs and general listeners. No lyricist or composer credits for the bandish (fixed melodic composition) are publicly attributed in the album’s liner notes or promotional materials.

The album Sangeet Sartaj was released in compact disc and digital formats, with distribution handled primarily in the Indian subcontinent. Khan’s rendition of Raga Kedar aligns with his broader discography, which emphasizes the Patiala gharana style while incorporating elements of gayaki (vocal technique) from other traditions. Further details regarding live performance iterations of this recording, alternate takes, or collaborative contributions to the track are not verified in available sources.