Raga Malkauns

Raga Malkauns is a 16-minute, 50-second recording of the Hindustani classical raga Malkauns performed by sitarist Kartick Kumar, tabla player S.V. Patwardhan, and tambura artist Rajaram. The track appears as side C on the 1970s compilation album Raga-Musik Aus Indien • Music From India, released by Deutsche Grammophon on a 12\" vinyl format. The album presents traditional Indian classical music to Western audiences, though specific recording dates and session details remain undocumented.

The composition adheres to the structural conventions of Malkauns, a pentatonic raga in the Kafi thaat traditionally performed during late night or early dawn. The track features an alaap (unmetered introduction), followed by a rhythmic jor and jhala sections, culminating in a gat (fixed composition) with tabla accompaniment. Patwardhan’s percussion employs the Teen Taal cycle, a common 16-beat pattern in Hindustani music. Rajaram’s tambura provides a continuous drone, anchoring the tonal center.

The album Raga-Musik Aus Indien • Music From India forms part of Deutsche Grammophon’s world music series, which included field recordings and studio sessions of non-Western classical traditions. The liner notes, where available, provide contextual essays on raga theory but omit detailed performer biographies. Kartick Kumar’s sitar style aligns with the gayaki ang (vocal-like phrasing) associated with the Imdadkhani gharana, though his direct lineage or training remains unconfirmed in surviving documentation.

No commercial reissues or digital remasters of this specific recording have been verified. The original vinyl release circulates among collectors of Indian classical music on analog formats, with no confirmed streaming or CD re-releases as of the latest available records.