Raga Malkauns

Ustad Amir Khan recorded Raga Malkauns as the second track on the vinyl album Raga Hansdhwani, Raga Malkauns. The label His Master’s Voice released the album in 1970 in a long-playing (LP) format. The recording showcases Khan’s interpretation of Raga Malkauns, a raga associated with the late-night hours and characterized by its pentatonic scale structure in the Kafi thaat.

The album pairs Raga Malkauns with Raga Hansdhwani, another composition performed by Khan. The release reflects his signature Indore gharana style, marked by slow, meditative alaap development and intricate taan patterns. The vinyl format of the era typically accommodated two raga performances per side, though specific side assignments for this release remain undocumented in the provided context.

No additional details exist regarding the accompanying artists, recording location, or production personnel for this release. The album cover design and liner notes, if included, are not described in the available information. Raga Malkauns remains a notable example of Khan’s late-career work, issued during a period when he consolidated his influence on Hindustani classical vocal tradition.

The track exemplifies Khan’s use of sargam (solfège) and akara (vowel-based) improvisations within the raga’s framework. The recording duration for Raga Malkauns is not specified, but vinyl constraints of the time often limited individual raga presentations to approximately 15–25 minutes per side. The album’s catalog number and original pressing details are not provided in the source material.