Raga Malkauns: Dhrupad in Chautala

Raga Malkauns: Dhrupad in Chautala is a dhrupad performance by vocalist Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar. The recording presents a rendition of Raga Malkauns set in Chautala, a 12-beat rhythmic cycle characteristic of the Dagar tradition of dhrupad. The composition adheres to the alap-jor-jhala structure followed by a composed verse in chautala, a hallmark of the Dagarvani style.

The performance spans 11 minutes and 29 seconds. The recording date and original release format remain undocumented in available sources. No label or commercial release details are confirmed, suggesting the work may originate from a live concert, archival recording, or private circulation. The track emphasizes the deep, resonant vocal technique of the Dagar brothers, with Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar employing sustained akars (vocal drones) and intricate melodic elaborations in the lower and middle octaves.

Raga Malkauns belongs to the Shaivite tradition and is classified under the Bhairav Thaat in Hindustani classical music. The raga omits the shuddha rishabh (natural second) and shuddha dhaivat (natural sixth), creating a pentatonic framework. This recording exemplifies the dhrupad genre’s focus on textual clarity, rhythmic precision, and meditative expansion of raga phrases. The chautala section features traditional pada (verse) delivery, though the specific poetic text or composer remains uncredited in accessible references.

Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar (1942–1989) was a member of the Dagar brothers duo, alongside Nasir Moinuddin Dagar, and a 19th-generation exponent of the Dagarvani dhrupad lineage. His performances often highlighted the nada yoga (sound meditation) aspects of the tradition. This recording aligns with his broader discography of raga explorations in the dhrupad format, though its exact provenance within his career timeline is unverified.

No additional production credits, accompanying artists, or reissue information are publicly documented for this specific track. The recording serves as an example of the Dagar brothers’ contribution to preserving and propagating the dhrupad art form in the late 20th century.